Startups on Our Radar
Africa’s most exciting startups aren’t always the loudest. At TechCabal, we believe in spotlighting early movers, quiet builders, and original thinkers solving Africa’s hardest problems in bold, different ways.
“Startup on Our Radar” is our editorial effort to highlight innovative startups across the continent—especially those building products that stand out in design, function, or model. We’re on the lookout for the teams taking unconventional approaches, filling real gaps, and creating value in a way that feels fresh, focused, and meaningful.
Whether you want to challenge an industry norm, make sense of a major industry shift or news events, or spotlight an underreported trend, this section will offer you a platform to share your expert and unique insights with our pan-African audience.
What are we looking for?
We want to feature startups that show:
- Product differentiation—not just another version of what’s out there. Is there something unique about the technology, UX, distribution, or pricing model?
- Clear problem-solving—how directly and creatively does the startup address a real need?
- Early traction or signs of impact—even pre-revenue startups with a strong concept, prototype, or early user base count.
- A compelling story—who’s behind it? Why now? What’s the founder’s insight into the space?
We’re not only focused on funding or hype. We care more about the “why” and the “how”.
What makes a startup feature-worthy?
Your submission show help us understand
- What problem the startup is solving
- How its approach is different from the norm
- What makes the product or service stand out
- Who its competitors are, and how it compares
- What kind of traction, funding, recognition, or partnerships it has (if any)
We’re interested in companies across all verticals—fintech, healthtech, logistics, climate, education, AI, even SaaS products. As long as it’s interesting and original, we want to know about it.
Who can submit?
Anyone.
Whether you’re the founder, a team member, an investor, an ecosystem observer, or just a fan of a brilliant product—you can nominate a startup you believe deserves more attention.
What are we NOT looking for?
- Basic pitch decks or sales copy
- Startups without a clear problem to solve
- Companies replicating existing models without innovation
Ready to nominate?
Fill out the form below to tell us about a startup you think deserves to be on our radar.
We review nominations on a rolling basis. Selected startups will be featured in our “Startup on Our Radar” and “TheBackend” column and newsletter.
