- EPiC 2024 Grand Finale on 26 April 2024 features US$45 million investment to be arranged, up to US$5 million in HKSTP venture funding, US$240,000 in cash prizes, plus partnership opportunities
- This year’s finale features 80% of semi-finalists coming from 16 overseas markets
- All semi-finalists will have access to unrivalled benefits and opportunities provided by HKSTP’s innovation ecosystem
This year, 80% of semi-finalists are overseas competitors from 16 economies, making this contest the most international iteration of EPiC to date. EPiC’s global growth stands testament to Hong Kong’s status as a leading international I&T hub that attracts top-tier startups from around the world.
| MobilityTech | ||
| Company Name (in alphabetical order) | Headquarter | |
| 1 | ABAKA AI | Mainland China |
| 2 | ACCURE Battery Intelligence | United States |
| 3 | AUTOCRYPT | South Korea |
| 4 | Certivity | Germany |
| 5 | Coordle | United States |
| 6 | EVA | Germany |
| 7 | FlyX Technologies Inc. | United States |
| 8 | ivilion | Germany |
| 9 | KONVERY DATA TECH CO.LTD | Mainland China |
| 10 | Libpet Tech Limited | Hong Kong |
| 11 | Meep | Spain |
| 12 | MotoNerv Limited | Hong Kong |
| 13 | Mushroom Material | Singapore |
| 14 | Novac | Italy |
| 15 | Ohoskin | Italy |
| 16 | OpalAI Inc | United States |
| 17 | PIX Moving | Mainland China |
| 18 | SCRAMBLUX GMBH | Germany |
| 19 | Shanghai Qiongche Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd | Mainland China |
| 20 | Smart Audio Technologies | United Kingdom |
| 21 | Soter AI | United States |
| 22 | tozero GmbH | Germany |
| 23 | Vidi Labs Limited | Hong Kong |
| 24 | Waveye Inc | Germany |
| 25 | wheel.me | Norway |
| 26 | XYZ Robotics | Mainland China |
| PropTech | ||
| Company Name (in alphabetical order) | Headquarter | |
| 1 | Agora World | United States |
| 2 | Ailytics Limited | Hong Kong |
| 3 | Albacastor Technology Limited | Hong Kong |
| 4 | Allye Energy | United Kingdom |
| 5 | AZURE PRINTED HOMES | United States |
| 6 | Blue Wall Technology | Mainland China |
| 7 | Carnot Innovations Limited | Hong Kong |
| 8 | Civils.ai | Singapore |
| 9 | Collov Inc | United States |
| 10 | Green Independence | Italy |
| 11 | GreenCoat Pty Ltd | Australia |
| 12 | Hyele Limited | Hong Kong |
| 13 | inHovate Solutions | UAE |
| 14 | Kodifly Limited | Hong Kong |
| 15 | LifeSparrow Solutions Limited | Hong Kong |
| 16 | Pando Electric | United States |
| 17 | ProGreen Innovations | Kenya |
| 18 | Syzl | Canada |
| 19 | TANGObuilder | United States |
| 20 | Ultrack Technology Sdn. Bhd. | Malaysia |
| 21 | WaveScan Technologies Pte Ltd | Singapore |
| 22 | XKool Technology | Mainland China |
| 23 | Yueshi Robot | Mainland China |
| 24 | Zhuling Technology | Mainland China |
| FinTech | ||
| Company Name (in alphabetical order) | Headquarter | |
| 1 | Aurionpro Payment Solutions Ltd | Hong Kong |
| 2 | Bizbaz Pte. Ltd. | Singapore |
| 3 | Boopos | United States |
| 4 | Boost Capital | Singapore |
| 5 | Connect Earth | United Kingdom |
| 6 | D-Engraver Limited | Hong Kong |
| 7 | e-States | United States |
| 8 | exaBITS | United States |
| 9 | imBee | Hong Kong |
| 10 | iVE.ONE Limited | Hong Kong |
| 11 | Kaiku | United Kingdom |
| 12 | KORZO INC. | United States |
| 13 | KYP | United Kingdom |
| 14 | Meson | Singapore |
| 15 | MoneyMatch Sdn Bhd | Malaysia |
| 16 | Physis Investment | United States |
| 17 | Helios Life Enterprises | United States |
| 18 | RealKey | United States |
| 19 | Rey | Indonesia |
| 20 | Shenzhen Magic Engine Artificial Intelligence (ME) Co., Ltd. | Mainland China |
| 21 | Smile API | Singapore |
| 22 | TFS | Hong Kong |
| 23 | Transparently.AI | Singapore |
| 24 | UNCLE2 FINTECH LIMITED | Hong Kong |
Friday, 15th December 2023, Colombo: Boosting innovation and fueling business acumen, Macubator, the external accelerator by MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, offers an exciting platform to give wing to the startup ambitions of aspiring entrepreneurs and university students. Macubator by Guardian Angels Fund is supported by a diverse panel of industry experts and knowledge partners from SLASSCOM (Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies); SLTC (Sri Lanka Technological Campus) Research & Innovation; Alumni Association of Tourism Economics & Hospitality Management – Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo and NSBM Green University all of whom are united in their mission to foster the growth of Sri Lanka’s thriving startup ecosystem was launched recently and is now open for applications on www.guardianangelsfund.com. Moreover, MAC has established ties with the Department of Transport Management and Logistics Engineering at the University of Moratuwa for collaborative initiatives focused on students.
Backed by the Guardian Angels Fund the principal venture capital fund of MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, serving as the flagship entity within the MAC Innovation and Startup Accelerator Initiative. Macubator is a sustainable investment fund which connects aspiring entrepreneurs and knowledge partners. The winners of this empowering programme will receive financial support for their startups along with global business exposure for their innovations, a truly winning combination. MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd is a market leader in Shipping, Freight and Logistics, Aviation, Hospitality and Leisure, Fisheries and Agriculture, Renewable Energy as well as Strategic Investments. The Group’s primary business activities include travel & tourism, supply chain management, airline GSA representation, ships agency representation, and strategic investments opportunities in the region.
Commenting on the initiative, Andre Fernando, Managing Director of MAC said, “Macubator was conceptualized to create awareness and reach new potential entrepreneurs and new idea generators with a platform that strengthens the startup ecosystem in Sri Lanka and the Indian sub-continent. This initiative facilitates collaboration between MAC and the startup ecosystem to support individuals who are brimming with promising new ideas but face limited financial resources to commercialize their ideas. This empowering programme serves as a robust funding platform that not only extends seed funding, but also offers invaluable mentorship and the potential for market access. We are expecting an overwhelming response to this initiative from aspiring entrepreneurs. MAC Holdings is also open to investor partnerships for similar programmes internationally and requests any company or individual interested to reach out to us. We intend to develop a cross continent talent pool of entrepreneurs and harness the potential of each country or region for the betterment of society.”
Adding further, Gayan Maddumarachchi Group Director/Regional Director – Freight & Logistics of MAC Holdings, said: “Commitment towards providing innovative and customized solutions is paramount to the ethos of MAC. Macubator was born out of the realization that there is a lot of untapped talent in Sri Lanka and the Indian sub-continent which needs financial backing, which is why we have joined hands with knowledge partners to launch this empowering programme, which harnesses innovation and ingenuity. Our main endeavour lies in promoting innovation and new idea commercialization. Most significantly, we hope Macubator will broaden the horizons amongst the younger generation for value generation and empower startups within Sri Lanka and the Indian sub-continent to propel their growth trajectory.”
Tilak Gunawardana, the Group Director and Chief Financial Officer at MAC Holdings, expressed, “At MAC, prioritizing innovative and tailored solutions is ingrained in our philosophy. Macubator’s inception stemmed from recognizing the vast untapped talent in Sri Lanka and the broader Indian sub-continent, necessitating financial support. Collaborating with knowledge partners, we launched this empowering initiative to nurture innovation and resourcefulness. Our primary goal revolves around fostering innovation and converting novel ideas into viable businesses. Macubator aims to expand horizons for the younger generation, fostering value creation and empowering startups across Sri Lanka and the Indian sub-continent to accelerate their growth trajectory.”
IronOne Technologies LLC attended the AsiaBerlin Summit 2023, which was held from 12th-16th June in Berlin, Germany. The summit, now in its 25th year, took place at the historic Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s Town Hall, and attracted over 1100 attendees from 39 countries, including startups, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers. The conference featured more than 70 speakers and thought leaders, who delved into trending topics such as AI, Mobility, Energy Transition, and GreenTech, concluding with exciting startup pitches to potential investors.
“The AsiaBerlin Summit provided us with an excellent platform to promote Sri Lanka’s advanced technological landscape to potential investors”, said Lakmini Wijesundera, Founder and Executive Director of IronOne Technologies. “I truly believe that with the current economic situation worldwide, Sri Lanka has the potential to be the next tech innovation hub globally and attract technology-driven foreign investments. Especially the AI Labs division of IronOne Tech has made major strides in the artificial intelligence field, and it brought me great pride to talk about this at the panel discussion at the AsiaBerlin Summit.”
AsiaBerlin is an initiative of the Berlin Senate Department and forms the collective platform that brings together communities within the startup ecosystems across Asia and Berlin. Its flagship event, the AsiaBerlin Summit is a focal point of gathering for startups and potential investors in the already vibrant startup hub of Berlin.
As panelists on two very exciting topics, Lakmini Wijesundera, Founder and Executive Director of IronOne Technologies spoke on Asia’s role in the “Green Energy Revolution” and Manori Unambuwe, shared her insights on ‘Scaling strategies for Startups” in global expansion from the perspective of an Asian startup looking to enter the German market.
“This opportunity reflects our dedication to expanding our global footprint and underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge AI solutions to clients worldwide,” stated Manori Unambuwe, Vice President of Strategy, and International Markets of IronOne Technologies. “Our presence at the AsiaBerlin Summit reinforced our position as a trusted provider of AI technologies and seeks to establish Sri Lanka as a technology development hub for global markets”.
Ms. Manori Unambuwe in her capacity as an Ambassador for AsiaBerlin Forum, works closely with the wide ecosystem and network in Berlin to create high visibility for the Sri Lankan startups in Germany.
IronOne Technologies’ participation in the AsiaBerlin Summit aligns with its strategic objective of expanding its presence in the European region and facilitating the entry of other Sri Lankan tech startups into international markets. This strategic direction was reinforced through constructive discussions between Ms. Lakmini Wijesundera, Ms. Manori Unambuwe, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Mr. Kai Wegner, and Dr. Rainer Seider, Head of Division – International Affairs at the Senate Chancellery of the Governing Mayor of Berlin. The discussions focused on solidifying IronOne’s presence in Berlin as a gateway to Germany and the wider European market. As well as IronOne’s enthusiasm to promote Berlin as a thriving startup destination for fellow Sri Lankan startups, thereby bolstering the startup infrastructure of Sri Lanka.
IronOne Tech saw strong demand for its AI solutions in Europe, and the AsiaBerlin summit proved to be an excellent opportunity to connect with potential customers and partners. With a team of experienced professionals focused on delivering cutting-edge AI technologies, IronOne empowers businesses to unlock the full potential of AI and drive transformative growth. From advanced analytics to machine learning and automation, IronOne offers customized solutions that address its clients’ unique challenges across various industries. By attending the AsiaBerlin Summit, IronOne Technologies reaffirms its commitment to expanding globally, establishing strategic partnerships, and driving innovation in the tech industry.
The Hon’ble State Minister for the ICT Division Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, was present as the chief guest of the program. The Secretary of the ICT Division Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin, the Executive Director (Grade-1) of BCC Mr. Ranajit Kumar, and the Managing Director of the Startup Bangladesh Limited Mr. Sami Ahmed were present as the special guests of the event. The program was presided over by the Project Director (Joint Secretary) of iDEA project Mr. Md. Altaf Hossain.
The Hon’ble State Minister for the ICT Division Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP urged young innovators to tackle the economic crisis by providing technology-based solutions to the country’s problems and said that our youth is not short of talent, they need cooperation. We are providing that opportunity through the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant. He expressed hope that our young innovators will solve the problems not only of the country but also of the world.
The State Minister said that we have launched the iDEA Project and established Startup Bangladesh Limited to support entrepreneurs. A startup ecosystem will be developed in the country through these institutions. Besides, Bangladesh will become an attractive hub for investors in the future. Startups don’t grow slowly; Goes up at rocket speed. He pointed out that bKash, Nagad and Shopup have already become billion-dollar companies.
The ICT Secretary, Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin said that we are ahead of the world in the number of young people. A country can move forward through youth. He said that entrepreneurs are going to create a platform or steps to take Bangladesh forward by getting the BIG grant. He also expressed hope that those who will win through this innovation grant will take our country further through their new innovation.
BCC Executive Director (Grade-1) Mr. Ranajit Kumar mentioned in his speech that the number of startups has been increasing for the past few years. He expressed the view that the contribution of startups in the entry stage from Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh is undeniable.
Mr. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Limited, said that we are working towards making Smart Bangladesh by 2041. He inspires startups by saying that startups get networking and feedback opportunities from BIG, which are very important for them. Finally, he requested all the entrepreneurs, innovators and startups of the country to participate in the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant competition.
In the speech of the chair of the program, iDEA Project Director and Joint Secretary Md. Altaf Hossain urged everyone to work together to build a digitally prosperous Bangladesh. He said that BIG is a wonderful initiative. BIG will play a unique role in the socio-economic development of the country besides serving as a role model for all aspiring entrepreneurs or startups.
Mr. Siddhartho Goushami Sr. Consultant of iDEA and BIG 2023 Chief Coordinator gave a presentation on BIG 2023 at the event. In addition, the Deputy Project Director (Deputy Secretary) of iDEA Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, iDEA Project Communications Consultant & Associate Coordinator of BIG 2023 Mr. Sohag Chandra Das, iDEA Project Consultant and BIG 2023 Technology Associate Coordinator, Mr. Abul Kalam Ahsanul Azad, iDEA Human Resources Consultant, Mr. Md Nazim Uddin along with ICT Divsion, BCC and others different officials of the government and private institutions were present.
Just as Bangabandhu’s index finger is a symbol of freedom to Bengali, “BIG” is a unique source of inspiration for success and boldness to the new generation of startups or entrepreneurs. Initially, registration can be done by visiting the website ( www.big.gov.bd ) of “BIG 2023” from Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Any information technology-oriented entrepreneur can participate in this contest by 22nd April 2023, Saturday. BIG Authority plans to select 300 innovative startups at the initial stage among the applications received. Later, a 3-day bootcamp will be organized with the selected top startups. This bootcamp includes day-long workshops, mentoring, pitching etc. with startups. The top 51 startups of “BIG 2023” will be selected from the most promising startups of the bootcamp, and the final round of BIG will be organized with the best 5 startups selected among them. From this final round, a selection panel consisting of experienced judges will select the final result of this grand event.
As a recognition of the BIG 2023, the best startup will be awarded a special honor and a grant of BDT 1 crore. The rest of the top 50 startups will be also awarded a grant of BDT 10 lakh each. Besides, there are different opportunities for startups including investment opportunities. Not only that, the best 51 startups of BIG 2023 will be given special certificates of appreciation.
The BIG was held for the second time in 2021 after gaining huge popularity among startups for the first time in 2019. In view of this, the ICT Division decided to organize the popular event for the 3rd time in 2023. The theme of this event is “DARE TO STAND BIG”. ICT Division, BCC, Startup Bangladesh Limited, Department of ICT, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, a2i, Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) project and Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Eco-System Development Project are helping to make the “BIG 2023” event a success.
Hatch has joined forces with Draper Startup House to unveil Colombo’s first-ever co-living space. The space marks the first phase of Hatch’s strategic partnership with Draper Startup House, and was officially opened by Silicon Valley billionaire investor Tim Draper during his recent visit to Sri Lanka. Through this initiative, Hatch serves to encourage digital nomad entrepreneurs to collaborate with local startups by providing the necessary infrastructure and a supportive community for them to connect and engage.
The co-living space is located at Orion City in Colombo 09 – the heart of the best and brightest of Sri Lanka’s IT/BPO Industry. Known as Colombo’s first IT park, Orion City houses a diverse mix of Nasdaq-listed global companies and up-and-coming local startups. With the addition of the co-living space the business center now aims to provide a space conducive to community creation, where digital nomads can engage with founders within the Sri Lankan startup ecosystem. Since its inception, Hatch has been at the forefront of providing incubation and acceleration programs for startups and has earned recognition for its award-winning co-working space. The co-living space is an extension of these efforts, with the goal of positioning Colombo, and Sri Lanka, as a strategic location for digital nomads to get inspired, find success, and support the economy.
“We seek to redefine the traditional digital nomad by attracting entrepreneurs who build businesses out of Sri Lanka using local talent and their international contacts for distribution and sales,” said Jeevan Gnanam, co-founder of Hatch, referring to ‘traditional digital nomads’ as those who would typically only contribute to the local economy by bringing in foreign exchange and supporting local businesses in the short term. “Our co-living space will encourage collaboration between digital nomads and local startups/entrepreneurs to make their contributions to the local economy more sustainable and impactful, all while supporting the existing infrastructure in place from coworking spaces to startup accelerators.”
In 2021, Hatch launched Sri Lanka’s first-ever digital nomad ambassador program, the NOMAD4LK competition. Run in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka, ENPACT e.V. in Berlin, Germany, and the Colombo Embassy in Berlin, the competition aimed to initiate engagement between digital nomads visiting Colombo and the local startup ecosystem. The winner of the competition, Matt de Caussin, an American entrepreneur residing in Germany, traveled to Sri Lanka amidst challenging economic times. Despite facing fuel shortages, electricity outages, and uncertain travel schedules, de Caussin chose to stay and was able to build a supportive community that provided him with the necessary support and direction to manage his travels. This program served to demonstrate the potential for collaboration when the right infrastructure is in place—potential Hatch is poised to tap into.
Sri Lanka is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and low cost of living, earning it the No. 2 spot in Club Med’s “Top Countries in the World to Live as a Digital Nomad” in 2021. Hatch sees opportunity amidst crisis and seeks to help realize a robust economy for Sri Lanka by playing to its strengths as a global tourist destination. Beyond Hatch X Draper Startup House, Hatch’s efforts to build a sustainable startup ecosystem in Colombo will pave the way for more sustainable economic development for Sri Lanka.
In a one of a kind collaboration; Hatch, the award winning co-working space, start-up incubator and accelerator is partnering with HDFC Bank as their official banker, to give its community of startups access to an exclusive loan facility, the benefits of which will support these startups in strategically growing their business in the face of Sri Lanka’s challenging economic climate.
Accounting for 90% of all businesses, providing 45% of employment and contributing towards 52% of Sri Lanka’s GDP – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy. With a large majority of the local population living in rural areas where MSME’s are a major source of employment and income generation, they are critical to alleviating poverty. Supporting the survival and growth of local MSME’s must be a strategic priority in Sri Lanka’s recovery plan to ensure growth and development of the local economy and society.
Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Bank is a specialized bank registered with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. HDFC is a semi-governmental institution listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the General Treasury holds 51% shareholding through the National Housing Development Authority. HDFC Bank is the Premier financial partner for low and middle income individuals in ensuring sustainable housing and living standards with an island wide network of 39 branches. Whilst Housing Finance is the core business, HDFC Bank goes beyond housing rudiments, helping homeowners with household requirements, education and Development Finance, financing for micro and small entrepreneurs, Leasing and Gold loans intended to support and uplift Sri Lankans in leading a better life.
Hatch has run several Incubator and Accelerator programs since its inception in late 2018 and has many more in the pipeline for 2023 aimed at driving local entrepreneurship across the island. These programs are aligned with Hatch’s belief that entrepreneurs are the catalyst for economic development, collaboration drives innovation and that everyone, regardless of background, should be given the opportunity to create a meaningful impact in the world. Starting with just 28 start-ups, in four years Hatch has supported over 500 start-ups. Of these, they have incubated and accelerated 37% of them through programs and 33% of the founders are women-led or focused businesses.
Programs addressing barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship through mentorship, business development, and investor matching have always been a key pillar for Hatch, starting with the Kickass program in 2020. In September 2021 the AccelerateHer program was launched and is now one of Hatch’s core programs. As part of the outreach done for AccelerateHer, the Hatch team along with subject matter experts traveled from Colombo, to Galle, Kandy, Batticaloa and Jaffna to run immersive 3-day boot camps covering key areas in business and entrepreneurship. Hatch programs aimed at developing female entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka have produced over 50 alumni from across the country who are now part of the Hatch ecosystem and will therefore have access to this loan facility.
This collaboration between Hatch and HDFC allows both parties to leverage their existing strengths to support and develop the local Sri Lankan economy by driving entrepreneurship.
Nurturing students with an entrepreneurial mindset and directing their notable brain power towards building solutions for a sustainable future by launching innovative companies that meet the needs of the future market landscape, was the focus of a value driven webinar for university students of the Sabaragamuwa area by Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM).
Dedicated towards harnessing the talents of emerging entrepreneurs, the aim of this initiative was to expand regional inclusivity, building capacity and skills, and enabling technology diffusion and gender specific initiatives in the Sabaragamuwa region for tech start-ups, higher education institutes as well as schools.
This event covered a comprehensive line up of subject areas that cover studying the competitive market landscape, identifying the best type of start-ups that suits their needs, how to promote the startup, raise capital, build and lead teams and scale-up the business for the global market landscape. Another key part of this initiative was to enable future startups in the Sabaragamuwa area to gain access to foreign markets and access to investor funding and mentorships for startups and scaleup.
Case studies spotlighting 2 entrepreneurial journeys of former university students who are now successful entrepreneurs in their own right; the specialty being that one of the speakers is himself from the Sabaragamuwa region, were among the key highlights of this webinar. The entrepreneurial journeys comprise of Kalinga Gunawardhana: a regional IT leader and an academic specialized in Business Intelligence and CEO of Cey Digital and Akhila Wijesundara CEO/MD and Co-Founder of Nova System Solutions (PVT) Ltd; an Australian-based web and mobile application development company.
The event was partnered and supported by Corporate sponsors Dialog Enterprise and HCL, organized by SLASSCOM E&I forum, SLASSCOM Academy, IOI and Startupsrilanka.lk.
VeChain is a top tier Layer1 blockchain that offers global enterprise solutions
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 2, 2022/APO Group/ —
Crypsense Digital Group (www.Crypsense.io), a Kenyan based Digital Assets Capacity Building & Management Platform is among the first African based Web 3 startups to qualify for the Draper VeChain Web 3 Accelerator Program. A 12 Week Accelerator Program delivered globally to high-growth blockchain companies.
The team pitched together with some of top 15 globally fastest growing Web 3 startups in Crypto, DeFi, NFTs, Metaverse & GameFi to a panel of expert judges from the Web 3 industry from VeChain, Draper University & Cream and was qualified for the program.
Draper University (https://bit.ly/3QbUQyj) a leading pre-accelerator and Incubator in Silicon Valley that fosters growth of high potential technology startups was founded by Timothy Cook Draper, a top tier venture capital investor in the technology space that counts some of the top technology companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Coinbase, Skype, Baidu and many more among his most prominent investments. To date Draper University has graduated > 1000 start up founders and raised >350M$ in early stage funding.
VeChain (www.vechain.org) is a top tier Layer1 blockchain that offers global enterprise solutions and derives its value from activities by members within the ecosystem solving real world economic problems.
Crypsense Digital Group is the first and fastest growing Digital Assets Capacity Building and management Platform in Africa
The collaborative program offers necessary support for startups in blockchain and web 3 to get all the industry mentorship and support necessary to scale their impactful solutions globally.
“This is an amazing opportunity to accelerate Web3 adoption in Africa through the program and partnerships. We have so much untapped talent and potential within our continent in blockchain and Web3. I am excited for Africa and I can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes us,” Alice Anangi, Co-founder & CEO, Crypsense Digital Group
“We understand the potential that blockchain has in solving some of the challenges that are facing Africa and we believe that we can use our disruptive nature as a continent to create value for ourselves through the adoption of the technology,” Added Alice Anangi, Co-founder & CEO, Crypsense Digital Group
Crypsense Digital Group is the first and fastest growing Digital Assets Capacity Building and management Platform in Africa that offers an end to end solution for institutional adoption of blockchain and digital assets in Africa.
The main pillars of the organization are capacity building, asset management and custodial solutions, asset financing and an accelerator launchpad to support blockchain and crypto startups in Africa. The capacity building platform offers a Learn to Earn (L2E) and Play to Earn (P2E) Learning Management System for Blockchain and
Cryptocurrency education that is interactive, easy to understand and makes the learning process fun and rewarding at the same time.
Crypsense Digital Group is a brainchild of The Africa Blockchain Center, one of the startups at Adanian Labs – a venture studio that aims to establish, nurture, and scale 300 impact-driven tech startups across Africa – . The Africa Blockchain Center intends to demystify blockchain technology and establish platforms where businesses may learn, conduct R&D, launch blockchain solutions, and use blockchain as a service for a variety of applications across industries and sectors.
The CEO of Adanian Labs John Kamara said “We are extremely proud to see such progress with our startups. We pride ourselves in providing the right environment, tools and resources to support startups and help them build scalable solutions. Crypsense Digital Group is very timely as Africa is exploring the potential for smart technologies in support of its 4IR efforts.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Crypsense Digital Group.
Sri Lanka’s first Angel Fund has, to date, channelled investments up to Rs. 150 Million cumulatively into four home-grown startups – Niftron, Magicbit, Mintpay & Chakra Suthra – while also helping these companies scale and access new markets both at home and abroad.
“Since August 2020, our team has evaluated over 400 startups from across the country. It’s important to note that most of these startups come from outside the Colombo District. And over a period leading up to the end of last year, the prevalence of women-led startups has increased from 8% in 2020, to 15% in 2021. Currently, we’re monitoring and doing the final due diligence on 5-10 startups. We hope to back a few more before September,” commented Chandi Dharmaratne, Chairperson of the Lankan Angel Network (LAN).
Established in 2020 by LAN, and supported by ecosystem development partner the Ford Foundation, the Angel Fund aims to catalyse the growth of Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem. The Angel Fund is currently still open, and prioritizes evaluating opportunities for investments across the island. Interested parties are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.lankanangelnetwork.com/angel-fund, to discover funding and mentorship opportunities.
The Angel Fund portfolio comprises Niftron, a blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform, and Magicbit, an easy-to-use STEM education platform. Further, ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ platform Mintpay was added recently, while circular economy recycling concept Chakra Suthra is in the process of being added to the Fund’s portfolio.
Along with its investment, the Fund has supported Niftron in securing customers in Africa and Japan. Meanwhile, Magicbit has been assisted in forming partnerships in Sri Lanka and Nepal, while also working towards helping Magicbit’s launch in China and USA. At the same time, the Fund has helped Mintpay expand into other vertices covering dining, travel and entertainment, and Chakra Suthra has been supported in strengthening its expansion strategy.
Evaluating startups on a monthly basis, the Angel Fund is dedicated to backing early-stage startups across multiple sectors. It supports them in various ways, from making investments, to even helping startups identify sources for future funding. It also provides centralized services such as company secretaries, accounting and auditing for all its startups. This ensures all startups meet proper governance standards, which will certainly help their future funding rounds.
Additionally, for 2022, the Fund is planning a series of matching events to connect its startups with potential customers as well as international partners.
Investment decisions are made by an Investment Committee (IC) with experience in building, running, scaling and exiting businesses locally, as well as globally. The IC meets once a month to evaluate potential startups for funding. The IC includes LAN Board Member Anarkali Moonesinghe and Business Consultant Dumindra Ratnayake, as well as Nathan Sivagananathan, Co-Founder of Hatch Works; Mangala Karunaratne, Founder/CEO of Calcey Technologies; Imal Kalutotage, Founder/CEO of NCINGA; and Shiluka Goonewardene, Principal for Deal Advisory at KPMG.
Created by LAN, which started this journey by funding and mentoring startups in 2012, the Angel Fund supports high potential startups that can be scaled across the country, and even regionally and globally. LAN is a platform for angel and private investors who invest in high growth early-stage Sri Lankan ventures with the aim of creating an impact by reducing inequality.
Comprising 100 local and global angel investors, many of whom were attracted via LAN’s extensive global partnerships, the Angel Fund is unprecedented in Sri Lanka because 20% of its investments come from members based out of Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, Qatar, UK and USA.
LAN and the Angel Fund are led by LAN’s Chairperson, Chandi Dharmaratne, who is Vice President for HR at Virtusa. The Fund’s Board also comprises Mano Sekaram, Founder/CEO at 99X; Anarkali Moonesinghe, former CEO at CIMB Sri Lanka; Prajeeth Balasubramanium, Co-Founder/Managing Partner at BOV Capital; Business Consultant Dumindra Ratnayake; Suren Pinto, Founder/CEO at Wavenet Group; and Channa Manoharan, COO/Advisory Leader at PwC Sri Lanka.
Twelve-week accelerator brings together entrepreneurs to jumpstart technology innovation
LAGOS, Nigeria, March 12, 2022/APO Group/ —
Flapmax (www.Flapmax.com) announced today the twelve companies selected for the first cohort of the FAST startup accelerator (www.FASTaccelerator.com), created to help strengthen and scale Africa’s digital ecosystem. In partnership with Microsoft, Flapmax’s twelve-week startup accelerator begins March 21st. The diverse class of entrepreneurs come from 6 different countries, serve 9 industries, and include 2 female founders.
More than 800 applications from 25 countries in Africa were received for the first FAST accelerator cohort. The countries with the most applicants included Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt. Applicants represented a diverse mix of technology and cloud-based products and services serving residents and businesses throughout Africa. Industries represented by the application pool included AgTech, EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech and more.
“Microsoft believes that African startups are well-placed to become a cornerstone of the African digital economy, with relevant solutions to local societal challenges. Participation in the FAST startup accelerator program will help these entrepreneurs capture available funding opportunities and plan for growth and future market expansion,” says Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
“In partnership with the Microsoft team, we are bringing together a unique mix of technology business and innovative entrepreneurs to build and scale societally impactful solutions that enable digital transformation across industries, as well as an introduction to cloud and AI-integration tools designed to unlock new value for their businesses,” says Dave Ojika, founder and CEO, Flapmax.
FAST applicants had to be based in Africa, ready to scale or expand within the continent, and have an established product-market fit while addressing one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The first FAST accelerator cohort features the following startups:
- Capsa Technology (getCapsa.com) : Online platform to buy and sell invoices for businesses in Africa
Nigeria | FinTech | SDG: No Poverty
- Silqu (www.Silqu.com): Africa’s most advanced proptech platform in real estate and technology
Kenya | PropTech | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- LegitCar (LegitCar.ng): Building Africa’s biggest vehicle data service
Nigeria | Automotive | SDG: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- VAIS (VAIS.ai): Comprehensive precision agriculture platform powered by AI & earth observation
Egypt | AgTech | SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Snark Health (SnarkHealth.com): Partner with your doctor. Leverage your data. Pay less.
Kenya | HealthTech | SDG: Good Health and Well-being
- Pade HCM (PadeHCM.com): Automated HR for all African businesses
Nigeria | Enterprise Software | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- DayDone (www.DayDone.com.ng): eCommerce platform, digitizing Africa’s agriculture market
Nigeria | AgTech | SDG: Zero Hunger
- K-12 EdTech (K12plus.app): Asynchronous and synchronous kindergarten to 12th-grade education app
Kenya | EdTech | SDG: Quality Education
- Tumaini La Maisha (www.weareTLM.org): Pediatric oncology services
Tanzania | Government & Public Service | SDG: Good Health & Well-being
- Taimba (Taimba.co.ke): East Africa’s First Data-Driven Food Supply Chain Platform
Kenya | AgTech | SDG: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Wala Digital Health (WalaDigital.io): Digital platform for hospitals access to blood that saves lives
Ghana | HealthTech | SDG: Good Health and Well-being
- KaCyber Technologies (www.KaCyber.com) : Making seamless mobility a reality in Africa
Uganda | Mobility | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Flapmax also announced the launch of its new upskilling and reskilling platform, Flapmax Learn (Learn.Flapmax.com), which would be used during the twelve-week FAST program to facilitate technology and business masterclasses and certifications. The top 100 startups from the FAST applicant pool will receive complimentary access to the Flapmax Learn platform, including the accelerator learning modules and masterclasses.
Beginning March 21, the FAST accelerator cohort will engage in a broad range of activities, including training, business development, cloud & AI integration, fundraising and community building events designed to help them scale rapidly and sustainably. Microsoft engineering team members will work one-on-one with participants on co-innovation projects ranging from product integrations to new offerings. With the help of the Flapmax engineering team, the startup founders will access new technology tools and services. Participants will benefit from up to $250,000 in Microsoft Azure cloud credits, as well as access to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, including access to OpenAI APIs.