Six Kenyan startups have been selected into the 2020 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 5 out of the 20 African startups.
The six Kenyan startups will be part of its online accelerator which will take the usual 3 months, with a one week ‘virtual bootcamp’ per month, beginning 29th June until 11th September 2020.
“Our commitment to supporting innovative startups in Africa remains strong. Especially now more than ever, running a startup requires innovative thinking, mentorship and collaboration,” posted Onajite Emerhor, Head of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa.
The startups cut across an array of industries like logistics, transportation, education, agriculture, e-commerce, media, health and professional services.
The 6 selected startups are:
- AmiTruck :Amitruck is a digital platform that seeks to bring trust, transparency and efficiency to logistics by using technology to connect cargo owners and transporters.
- BuuPass : BuuPass works with transport operators to provide digital solutions that seamlessly facilitate convenient and reliable movement of commuters.
- Crediation: Crediation empowers tech startups to lend to their customers. We provide APIs and a dashboard to allow our partners to access funds for lending and process loans.
- Ilara Health: Ilara Health brings essential diagnostic support and impactful software products to patients and providers across peri-urban sub-Saharan Africa who currently are unable to access these basic life-saving tools.
- Uzapoint: UzaPoint is an enterprise resource planning tool that enhances the efficiency, profitability and business intelligence of small scale businesses in retail.
- Zuka Data Science: A blended Learning Platform with engaging Data Science programs designed by experts to enable individuals and organisations at all levels become Data Fluent.
Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator program has worked with 47 startups from 17 African countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. They have contributed to economic prosperity & empowerment by collectively raising millions of dollars in investment, and creating hundreds of jobs.
Kenya’s Amitruck brings together cargo owners and transporters and competes Sendy, Senga, Bwala, Lori and Kobo360.
Logistics spending in Africa by manufacturers and retailers has crossed the $160 billion mark back in 2018 and keeps growing. However the sector across the continent suffers from fragmentation and lack of transparency. According to a study by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, in accessing foreign markets, on average, Africa’s transport and insurance costs represent 30 per cent of the total value of exports.
By matching cargo owners with trucking logistics professionals through a digital competitive bidding process, Amitruck brings trust and transparency into the African logistics sector. Amitruck’s solution cuts out expensive middlemen whilst increasing security as all drivers and vehicles are vetted and goods in transit insured.