Five Kenyan firms set for Lagos IT race
Delegates follow proceeding during the Demo Africa technology conference at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on October 24, 2013. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | FILE
What you need to know:
- Mr Mbugua Njihia, Demo Africa director, said the conference would kick off on September 22 and end on September 26.
- Last year’s conference was held in Kenya. It attracted over Sh1.7 billion funding for startups.
Five startups are among 40 technology brains that will represent Kenya in this year’s edition of Demo Africa in Lagos, Nigeria.
The five were chosen from a competitive list of 240 African applicants who made it to the final stage of judgment.
Kenya emerged second after Nigeria, which had 14 representatives. Ghana and Egypt followed, respectively, while Tanzania and Uganda will each have two representatives at the competition.
Mr Mbugua Njihia, Demo Africa director, said the conference would kick off on September 22 and end on September 26. It will be held in Lagos for the first time since its inception in 2012.
“The Kenyan startups that will be vetted — among 40 other African firms — are SokoNect, ASiM, Valuraha Group, Chura and Pearl Dream Inc,” said Mr Njihia.
“They will launch their products before a panel of vice chancellors, investors, technology acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the globe,” he said.
He added that this year’s fete had a high number of entries, with entrepreneurs having risen above the fear of venturing into new sectors.
Last year’s conference was held in Kenya. It attracted over Sh1.7 billion funding for startups, which was much higher than the 2012 funding at Sh680 million.
