NBA Africa Announces Finalists for Second Round of Startup Accelerator
NBA Africa has unveiled the ten startups from five African nations selected as finalists in its second round of the Triple Double Accelerator. Launched last year, this initiative aims to bolster the continent’s burgeoning technology landscape and foster the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
As an affiliate of the National Basketball Association, NBA Africa oversees league operations across the continent, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In April 2024, the organization introduced the Triple Double Accelerator, designed to provide crucial financial support and resources to early-stage startups innovating in sectors such as event management, AI, digital marketing, and youth development within the sports and creative industries.
The ten finalists were chosen from over 700 applicants and will present their innovative concepts to a panel of international industry experts during Demo Day, scheduled for Friday, December 5, at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) in Kigali, Rwanda.
From this group, five startups will be awarded financial backing and the chance to engage in CMU Africa’s year-long business incubation program, part of the Innovation Hub. This initiative supports African tech startups in transitioning from preliminary prototypes and market assessments to scalable, ready-to-launch products and services.
The ten startups competing for funding and mentorship are:
- Athlon Technology (Egypt) – Aims to use accessible mobile technology and AI to provide video analytics to amateur and budget-conscious sports teams, filling a significant market gap with a user-friendly, hardware-efficient solution. Learn more
- Aturu (Nigeria) – Utilizes blockchain technology to boost investment in African art, thereby supporting artists and the broader art community. Learn more
- CoLab (South Africa) – A platform that connects creators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, offering a collaborative space to manage projects and bring ideas to fruition. Learn more
- Contestify (Nigeria) – An all-in-one platform simplifying contest management, providing features like real-time judging, transparent scoring, and immediate payouts. Learn more
- Fitkran (Egypt) – A digital fitness hub that employs a flexible subscription model catering to both individual and business clients. Learn more
- Novate (Morocco) – Provides an immersive virtual reality (VR) soccer viewing experience featuring seat selection, camera switching, social voice chat, and live statistics. Learn more
- ProPath Sports (Kenya) – Revolutionizes athlete discovery through data-driven talent identification, supported by an iSTEAM program that encompasses comprehensive talent development. Learn more
- Reborn (Morocco) – Delivers comprehensive performance metrics to track an athlete’s physical condition and on-field performance, essential for pinpointing strengths and areas for growth. Learn more
- Safia Health (Kenya) – Offers personalized training plans that integrate fitness, recovery, and mental health tracking, adding value for both athletes and coaches. Learn more
- SongDis (Nigeria) – Provides a full suite of digital distribution and services tailored for African independent artists and record labels. Learn more
The quality of this year’s applicants underscores the immense talent and creativity among Africa’s young entrepreneurs, according to NBA Africa CEO Claire Akamanzi. She noted the vital role that sports and creative industries play in Africa’s development, celebrating the innovative spirit that is thriving across the continent as creativity meets purpose, enabling ideas to transcend borders.
