NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator Program
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum took center stage to announce the winners of the inaugural “NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator” Demo Day.
The program, launched in April 2024, aims to foster innovation within Africa’s technology ecosystem and support the continent’s emerging entrepreneurs. From a pool of more than 700 African startups, ten finalists were selected to pitch their businesses to a panel of industry experts. Four standout businesses – Festival Coins (Nigeria), Salubata (Nigeria), HustleSasa (Kenya), and UBR VR (Egypt) – were recognized for their groundbreaking innovations, each earning financial backing and mentorship opportunities.
- Festival Coins (Nigeria), an event technology company offering a no-code event registration platform called Tix Africa, took first place, winning $50,000.
- Salubata (Nigeria), a startup repurposing plastic waste into modular shoes to help reduce the global carbon footprint, won second place and $40,000.
- HustleSasa (Kenya), a platform providing event services like payment processing and influencer tracking, secured third place and $30,000.
- UBR VR (Egypt), a provider of immersive virtual reality experiences, won fourth place with a prize of $20,000.
The remaining six finalists each received $10,000 in recognition of their innovative efforts. The judges, which included NBA executives and leaders from sectors such as technology and digital platforms, evaluated the finalists based on creativity, impact, and business potential.
Clare Akamanzi: NBA Africa’s Commitment to African Entrepreneurs
NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi emphasized the importance of innovation in sports technology and event management across the continent. “Congratulations to all the talented entrepreneurs who participated, with special recognition to the finalists and winners,” she said. “These outstanding companies are poised to help shape the future of sports in Africa and will take the continent to the global stage.”
New Partnerships to Support Startups
In addition to awarding prizes, NBA Africa welcomed Paystack Payments Ltd., Kuramo Capital Management, and the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) as the program’s first official partners. These organizations will contribute to mentorship programs and workshops designed to enhance the skillsets and market strategies of these startups.
NBA Africa’s “Triple-Double Accelerator” is open to early-stage African startups with a focus on event management, AI, digital marketing, and youth development. The initiative is part of NBA Africa’s broader strategy to foster technological innovation in sports across Africa and support the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
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