SA Hardware Company, SmartBlade, Receives R5.9-million Investment
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Welcome to today’s edition of TC Daily! If this mail was forwarded to you, please take a moment to subscribe and we’ll have this delivered directly to your mailbox.
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| A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR |
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| Ventures Platform in Partnership with the National Social Investment Program has launched Startup Nigeria 2019. The program supports innovative startups in Nigeria through funding, mentorship, and hands-on training! Startup Nigeria is open to individuals with innovative ideas & startups in 3 zones-North Central, South East, & North West. Apply now for a chance to receive up to N2M in funding at https://www.startupnigeria.ng/ |
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| DHL Express has launched its DHL Africa e-Shop in more African countries following its impressive growth in the 11 countries where it first launched. The platform is now live for consumers in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. Launched first in April, the platform allows customers in Africa purchase goods directly from over 200 US and UK-based online retailers, with purchases delivered to their door, by DHL Express. |
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| South Africa hardware tech incubator, Savant, has invested R9.5-million (US$633, 838) in Cape Town-based medtech startup SmartBlade. The deal marks the fund’s first investment since it announced its first close of R110-million in February. SmartBlade has developed a device, which consists of a smartphone app that is linked to a video laryngoscope, that enables single operators of varying skill levels to intubate difficult airways. Founded in 2016, the startup says the funds which will come in the form of convertible notes will help it acquire moulds to manufacture its device and to attain certification including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration. Savant’s venture fund invests in hardware tech businesses with products that are ready for market. |
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Kenya will be one of the nine countries that will benefit from Microsoft’s Cloud Accelerator Program that entails a 6-month training designed to help women-led companies start and build their business through Microsoft products and its cloud distribution channel. Currently available only in the U.S., the program will be introduced in South Africa, Canada, France, Germany, India, the UAE and the U.K. in partnership with IdeaGen and Women in Cloud. 30 women-run companies and accelerated multiple startups have so far benefited from the program.
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| Netherlands-based Velocity Capital (VC) has launched a €105M (US$118 million) Fintech Ventures Fund to invest into global fintech startups. South Africa’s Cellulant and Yoco and Nigeria’s Mines are part of the company’s portfolio in Africa. VC is very founder-focused and offers its portfolio companies the experience and know-how to help navigate the complex landscapes of highly regulated B2B and B2C industries. |
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| We’ve put together an informative content stack for healthcare entrepreneurs covering a wide range of subjects from how to develop new product and services to scaling in Nigeria’s tough business clime. However, you can get a sector deep dive into challenges, opportunities and recommendations compiled especially for innovators, investors and regulators in our report, “The State of Health Tech in Nigeria”. Get it here. |
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After 5 years at Ringier Africa, former Editor-in-Chief Osagie Alonge has announced he’ll be joining Opera, as Director of Growth, for ORide, Opera’s motorcycle hailing company which launched in May. ORide’s entry into the market signaled an interesting turn in the sector. A new platform springing from Opera’s fintech solution, OPay, the company is stealthily building a “super app” armed with a US$40 million investment planned for the Nigerian market. Gokada not only just raised US$5.3 million in a series A round but also welcomed Jobberman Co-founder, Ayodeji Adewunmi as Managing Director for Africa. Uganda’s SafeBoda welcomed ex-Andelan Babajide Duroshola as its Country Manager last month as well.
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EFInA (Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access) is holding a webinar on the 17th of June about the Nigerian Fintech Landscape based on its ground-breaking report about the sector. The webinar will involve a conversation about the different sub-sectors in the space, the types of technologies fintechs use and how they enable financial inclusion. It will also discuss trends, challenges and recommendations for stakeholders. Register here.
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The Subtext in partnership with Mettā Nairobi is pleased to announce the first edition of the Subtext Sessions event series which will be led by Osarumen Osamuyi, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Africa’s Talking Labs. The discussion will center around the history and evolution of the motorcycle taxi industry in Africa, and the unseen consequences of its intersection with the internet. It’ll be taking place on June 20 at 6/F Belgravia, 14 Riverside Drive, #Suite 6A, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya by 6:00 PM. Secure a seat here.
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| Should Africa continue to chase after the rest of the world as they advance in technology or adapt technology for its specific needs? Victor Asemota writes “From Tesla to Keke” for The Guardian. |
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South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation and Fliptin Venture Builder will deliver ‘AI in Africa’, a series of high-impact education driven initiatives with a focus on youth empowerment for high school learners through the month of June. The series of events which will be organised in bootcamps will have girls aged 15-18 mentored by leading professionals and entrepreneurs as they are taken through an understanding of AI as well as design thinking and business models to prepare them for the future workforce.
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That’s it,
See you next week.
– Kay
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