TECH STARS (1006)
Rapelang Rabana, a serial entrepreneur, revolutionizes the training and education landscape with innovative digital solutions. Her remarkable entrepreneurial journey has been marked by numerous accolades and distinctions.
A pioneer in the fields of education and technology, Rapelang Rabana is a South African computer scientist, entrepreneur, and lecturer. Born in Gaborone, Botswana, in 1982, she materialized her commitment to empowering others by creating Rekindle Learning, a company offering digital learning solutions for businesses and educational institutions.
Rabana pursued higher education at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 2005 and a Master's degree in Real Estate Studies in 2010.
In 2014, she founded Rekindle Learning, which harnesses the power of technology to transform learning experiences for individuals and organizations. Driven by the belief that personalized, interactive, and adaptive digital solutions can enhance learning outcomes, Rekindle Learning uses microlearning techniques to help professionals acquire the skills they need in the ever-evolving world of work.
Rapelang Rabana is also Co-CEO of Imagine Worldwide, a technology solution that empowers children with the literacy and numeracy skills they need to reach their full potential. She has been a venture partner at GrindstoneXL since 2021 and a non-executive partner at Nisala Capital since 2016. She also co-founded, in 2021, FFWD Innovation, an organization that provides coaching, training, and mentorship to teams, enabling them to build and develop innovations faster using cutting-edge business management methodologies and techniques.
In 2005, she co-founded Yeigo Communications, South Africa's first free VoIP mobile services provider whose majority stake was acquired by Swiss group Telfree in 2008. After the acquisition, Ms. Rabana was appointed head of the VoIP company’s R&D department. She remained in this position until 2012. In November 2017, she was appointed Chief Digital Officer of BCX, where she worked until 2018.
Several awards have celebrated her endeavors. In 2012, she was featured on Oprah Magazine's O Power List. The following year, she made it to Forbes' 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 list for Africa and was subsequently (in 2014) named Entrepreneur for the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum. In 2017, she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Melchior Koba
Nurturing local entrepreneurship, Le Boukarou fosters innovation through its incubation efforts and groundbreaking initiatives. Its success in supporting entrepreneurs across Africa serves as a powerful testament to its unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Founded in 2016 and led by Jean-Patrick Ketcha, a member of Afric'Innov's Board of Directors and the Strategic Orientation Board of the Francophone Employability Center, Le Boukarou stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial empowerment. Guided by a mission to propel enterprising youth onto the forefront of the Cameroonian and African economy, the incubator diligently nurtures budding entrepreneurs through a comprehensive array of support services.
Le Boukarou's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial success manifests in a diverse range of activities and programs meticulously tailored to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to transform their ideas into businesses. From coaching and mentoring to business development guidance, startup support, training, and networking opportunities, the incubator provides a holistic approach to nurturing entrepreneurial growth.
Acknowledging the importance of fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurial ventures, Le Boukarou has established a well-equipped and user-friendly coworking space, fostering collaboration and innovation among its vibrant community of entrepreneurs.
"Our operational approach centers on working closely with young people, guiding them from the initial structuring of their ideas to the operationalization of their projects, culminating in the development of their businesses. We recognize that businesses cannot thrive in isolation. Therefore, our ambition is to forge lasting and effective partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, including state institutions, media outlets, scientific and technical units, investors, and international organizations," the incubator indicates on its website.
Le Boukarou's support extends to a wide spectrum of fields, encompassing agriculture and food security, cultural and creative industries, the circular economy, the environment, water and energy, mobility, sustainable cities, and education, among others.
The incubator's initiatives include the renowned Bouka Club program, designed to enhance youth employability through targeted training and entrepreneurial skills development. Additionally, Le Boukarou offers the Bouka Seeds program, providing financial support to young Cameroonian value creators. One of the entrepreneurs it supported is Arthur Zang, the engineer behind the groundbreaking connected electrocardiogram called CardioPad.
Since its inception, Le Boukarou has supported over 40 startups, positively impacting the lives of more than 42,000 individuals. With five impactful programs reaching over 1,000 participants, the incubator's presence extends across Bamenda, Douala, Maroua, and Garoua. Its endeavors are supported by a network of partners, including Total Energies, the French Institute, UNDP, the French Embassy in Cameroon, and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).
Melchior Koba
Trained as a lawyer, she swiftly shifted her focus to financial technology. As the founder and CEO of the CaPay application, she has garnered recognition for her efforts in bolstering employees’ financial inclusion.
Ariane Akeret (photo) is a Gabonese entrepreneur who has revolutionized financial inclusion through her innovative mobile payment platform, CaPay. Through that platform, she has transformed the way underbanked employers and pensioners receive their salaries and social benefits.
With a master's degree in law from Omar Bongo University in 2017, she discovered mobile money during her travels in West Africa. Concerned with strengthening the financial inclusion of wage earners, she drew inspiration from the transformative power of mobile money to create a solution that would bridge the financial divide. In 2019, Akeret's vision materialized into CaPay, a platform designed to streamline the disbursement of salaries, pensions, and scholarships through mobile money technology.
"I created CaPay to address the challenges faced by people in remote areas who have to travel long distances to collect their pensions," the entrepreneur said in 2022.
CaPay's mission is to simplify and secure payroll processes, making them accessible and inclusive for all. Its user-friendly interface caters to a wide range of organizations, including associations, social benefit funds, cooperatives, companies, trade unions, public administrations, and more.
Eliminating the need for traditional bank accounts, the platform empowers employees and pensioners to receive their payments directly into their mobile money accounts.
Prior to embarking on her fintech journey, Akeret gained valuable experience in the legal field. In 2016, she served as an executive assistant in the legal and litigation department of the State Judicial Agency in Gabon. Subsequently, she worked as a legal assistant at the National Agency for Town Planning, Topographic Works and Cadastre (ANUTTC) in 2018.
Akeret's unwavering commitment to financial inclusion has garnered her numerous accolades. In 2022, she received the prestigious Margaret Prize in Paris in the "Entrepreneur Africa" category. Her dedication to innovation was further recognized in November 2023 when she and four other entrepreneurs won the national competition for invention and technological innovation.
Melchior Koba
As a software developer, he uses technology to solve local problems and create value for his community. With his company Twende Mobility, he is helping improve the transport conditions of millions of people across Africa.
Kiptoo Magutt (photo) is the co-founder and CEO of Twende Mobility, a mobility platform that seamlessly connects customers with transport operators, revolutionizing travel and logistics management in Africa. His platform's unified, transparent, and cost-effective approach empowers users to effortlessly navigate their transportation needs.
The tech entrepreneur studied at Princeton University, USA, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2012. After years of working in structures in the United States, he decided to return to Kenya in 2017 to launch his own company, Twende Mobility which is named after its flagship solution.
The said solution empowers mobility and logistics operators to embrace the digital revolution. The platform seamlessly streamlines operations, encompassing booking management, dispatch, payments, customer relationship management, and more. It aims to make mobility more accessible, safer, and sustainable across Africa.
Before embarking on the Twende Mobility adventure, in 2011, Magutt co-founded M-Profesa, an e-learning platform that fosters the exchange of learning materials between teachers and students. His professional career began, in 2010, at Princeton University’s EDGE Lab, where he was a software developer and associate engineer. In 2011, he worked at the Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) in Hong Kong as an engineer-in-training. Between 2012 and 2014, he honed his skills in the United States, serving as a software developer for companies such as SevOne and Spreecast, an interactive video platform. From 2014 until his return to Kenya, Magutt was an Android developer for the independent Arab news channel Al Jazeera Media Network.
Melchior Koba
BujaHub provides an environment conducive to the growth and success of entrepreneurs. With its ongoing commitment to innovation and socio-economic development, it contributes to building a continent driven by entrepreneurship and innovation.
BujaHub is a non-governmental organization created in 2019 by the Young African Development Foundation (YADF) and the Save African Youth Campaign (SAY), two organizations working for the socio-economic and political development of young people and women across Africa. BujaHub is headquartered in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, and its CEO is Abiyah David, founder of SAY.
BujaHub's mission is to create a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in the digital sector and beyond. The organization provides structured support through workshops, training, and seminars, complementing the natural networking environment it fosters. To improve accessibility, it has a co-working space, offices, and modern facilities in downtown Bujumbura.
The organization collaborates with private and public institutions to design and implement programs and activities to support innovators and digital entrepreneurship in Burundi. For example, it offers an incubator focused on business design and an acceleration program to help startups scale up.
BujaHub also provides young people with a community of designers who tackle complex problems. It offers a research lab to create a local data-driven economy and projects. It also fosters new partnerships with regulators, industry players, businesses, and local and international organizations to create a strong entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem.
To achieve its various goals, BujaHub has set up various programs and activities. For instance, its Digital Ladies program focuses on building skills and promoting Burundian women in the digital sector. In addition, it regularly organizes events such as Innovation Week, where innovators are shortlisted to present their projects.
BujaHub has already made a significant impact in Africa. It has supported over 100 innovative startups and launched more than 25 programs. It has a community of over 35,000 members, 45% of whom are women, and is supported by more than 15 partners.
Melchior Koba
Startups usually require support from institutions such as incubators and accelerators to accelerate their growth. In Guinea, Trustee excels in providing such essential assistance.
Trustee is a Guinean entrepreneurship support structure that invests in startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential. Established in 2018 by seasoned business developer Ibrahima Kalil Kaba, its current CEO, Trustee primarily focuses on projects within the information and communication technology, renewable energy, and agribusiness sectors.
Specializing in startup support and investment readiness, the company offers strategic advice and practical solutions to assist its clients in achieving their business and financial objectives. For instance, Trustee aids entrepreneurs in implementing a customized digital strategy by leveraging its team of developers, architects, and project managers to ensure the success of their projects. Additionally, the company manages a fund that invests between $30,000 and $500,000 in startups, acquiring 7-10% equity in return.
Trustee also operates an accelerator program to help beneficiaries accelerate their growth through access to experienced mentors, investors, and valuable resources. This program is open to startups across various sectors, ranging from technology and healthcare to food.
Beyond financial support, Trustee extends its services to include workspace provisions, legal and accounting support, as well as marketing and sales tools. The organization has also established the Digital Community, a dedicated space for technology entrepreneurs in West Africa seeking to expand their network, acquire new skills and grow their businesses. Trustee actively organizes events such as pitch sessions, mentoring meetings, seminars, and networking events for startups, with notable initiatives like Guinea FinTech Week 2023 that took place last September.
Furthermore, Trustee offers a comprehensive training program designed to empower entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge in areas such as web development, networking, product development, business strategy, fundraising, marketing and communications, human resources, management, and finance.
Backed by a robust network of local companies and partners, including BANKITRUCK and KF Invest & Consulting, Trustee is dedicated to fostering the development of Guinean startups
Melchior Koba
She is an inspiring woman dedicated to bridging the economic gender gap in Nigeria. Her exceptional leadership, innovation, and social impact have earned her numerous awards and distinctions.
Ife Durosimi-Etti (photo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women's economic empowerment. As the founder and CEO of Herconomy, she leads a community platform providing financial services, professional opportunities, and training for women in Nigeria.
She graduated from Covenant University with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in 2009 and earned a Master's degree in Global Business from Coventry University in 2012.
She initially launched Herconomy, in 2018, as AGS Tribe, a community dedicated to networking and empowering young female entrepreneurs and professionals. The community has now evolved to become a fintech company that empowers women through grants and scholarships. The company offers women savings opportunities. Through its academy, it offers online courses on entrepreneurship, business management, and digital, from coding to artificial intelligence to digital marketing.
"On our platform, you will not just save and earn high interests, but you will also save as you spend on things that you need on a day-to-day basis. We believe that women cannot be empowered through bank accounts alone, they need community, capacity and access to opportunities that can move them, their businesses or careers to the next level and we are providing just that through our platform. We are building a world where women can connect, save, earn and thrive," explained Ife Durosimi-Etti in 2022.
Herconomy is a community of over 100,000 women. The company has already awarded over 100 grants. In June 2023, it was selected for the third cohort of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund.
A volunteer with the Global Shapers Community, Ife Durosimi-Etti is, since 2017, the project manager of Dome, a project launched to bridge the gender gap through the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nigeria. Before Herconomy, she co-founded Parliamo Bambini, a baby furniture marketing company in Nigeria.
She began her professional career in 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank where she was an Operations Analyst. A British Red Cross volunteer between 2010 and 2012, she was Customer Relations Manager for Arcadia Group, a fashion retailer in the UK, during the same period. Between 2012 and 2017, she worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc.
Her works have been celebrated with several awards. In 2017, she received an award from the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, in recognition of her contribution to women's empowerment. In 2018, she also received the Women's Advocacy Award from the West African Leadership Organization for her dedication to socio-economic development and equality in West Africa. In 2021, she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship US government program for young African leaders.
Melchior Koba
The Dot offers a variety of support programs for startups. It has a significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. Its ambition is to become the spearhead of the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Dot is a Tunisian digital innovation hub supported by Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement, an NGO that promotes socioeconomic development in Tunisia. Launched in January 2021 as part of a public-private partnership, it aims to federate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, support innovation and digital transformation, and strengthen ties between Tunisia and Africa.
The innovation hub is headed by Zeineb Messaoud, a business developer and entrepreneurial program designer. It offers free programs and services to entrepreneurs, innovative project leaders, and companies wishing to expand into the African market.
These include Dot Camp, a mentoring program that selects 37 innovative startups in the seed phase each year. It offers a year's free accommodation, privileged access to other programs offered by The Dot, and networking and business opportunities.
The hub also provides a free resource center called Dot Services. This center features event rooms, a space for exchanging and sharing with a community of innovators, open-plan offices, and computers equipped with a range of creative and editing software. It also provides a studio equipped for podcast creation and audiovisual equipment.
Its support program Dot Landing is tailored for entrepreneurs within the Tunisian diaspora and foreign companies looking to establish a presence in Tunisia or forge partnerships and business connections across various sectors in the country. The free 4-month program provides intensive coaching to entrepreneurs.
Beyond its structured programs, The Dot aspires to serve as a hub for interaction, knowledge-sharing, and learning among diverse stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization regularly organizes events, workshops, training sessions, hackathons, conferences, and competitions designed to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
The Dot has already supported several companies. These include 3D Wave, which specializes in 3D printing and digitization, the online business management platform Iberis, the interactive educational platform ClassQuiz and the Cynoia platform, which aggregates communication and collaboration tools on a single platform. For its activities, it is supported by Expertise France, GIZ, and Smart Tunisia, among other partners.
Melchior Koba
Limited financial resources usually prevent some amputees from buying prostheses, therefore restricting their independence. In response to this issue, Nada Ghammem provides a solution by offering affordable, personalized bionic prostheses. Her innovative approach has earned her recognition and awards.
Nada Ghammem (photo) is a Tunisian entrepreneur and the founder/CEO of Bionic Soul, a startup that develops and manufactures advanced, personalized leg prostheses for amputees. She studied mechanical engineering at the Higher Institute of Technology Studies in Sousse from 2018 to 2021. She got the idea that would later lead to Bionic Soul (in 2022) during that period.
Through her company, she strives to offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional prostheses without compromising product quality. Using advanced technologies, Bionic Soul designs its prostheses according to the measurements of each patient, who also benefits from personalized follow-up. Working in partnership with hospitals and customers to offer its services to as many patients as possible, the company also raises awareness of the importance of making bionic prostheses accessible to amputees.
Bionic Soul has developed two distinct types of prostheses. The first, ErgoLeg, is a mechanical prosthesis designed to provide fundamental mobility, equipped with a joint and a walking damper. This enables users to regain independence and resume their daily activities. Successful testing of this prosthesis version was concluded in October 2023.
The second option, BioniLeg, stands out as an intelligent bionic prosthesis incorporating sensors and an artificial intelligence algorithm. This advanced design offers users an almost natural, adaptive walking experience. Additionally, the company has created a dedicated app that allows users to customize their prosthesis settings, monitor their physical activity, receive personalized advice, and access valuable resources for both rehabilitation and maintenance of their prosthetic devices.
With Bionic Soul, Nada Ghammem won the international women's prize at the 13th edition of the international stage of Orange’s POESAM, which was concluded in October 2023. She received €20,000 in funding.
Currently, Nada Ghammem is a student at Enova ROBOTICS, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of robots through combined expertise in software, hardware, and perception. She began her professional career in 2018 as a student intern at the Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques et Électriques (CETIME) in Tunisia. She also completed an internship in 2019 at Precimold Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd, a plastics company located in Malaysia.
Melchior Koba
mHub, a key player in Malawi's technology ecosystem, promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. It has already created a thousand jobs and trained tens of thousands of young people.
mHub is Malawi's first technology and innovation hub, located in Lilongwe, with workspaces in Blantyre (Malawi) and Lusaka (Zambia). Founded in 2014, the hub's mission is to promote technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Malawi. It offers tailored technology solutions, entrepreneurship support, and digital skills training for Malawian youth and businesses.
The center was initiated by Rachel Sibande, a Malawian computer scientist and social entrepreneur. A fervent advocate of technology in Africa, she was featured on the Forbes list of Africa's 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in 2016.
mHub offers creators tailored entrepreneurial support, software development services, co-creation opportunities, digital skills, and on-demand startup assistance. It also hosts programs and activities to strengthen Malawi's entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem. One such program is Digital Malawi, a project that has benefited over 500 young people, some of whom have received funding of around $2,500 as seed capital for their businesses.
The Modern Cooking for Healthy Forest Accelerator (MCHF), a project aimed at improving forest management and mitigating land-based emissions, is another of the center's initiatives. It has trained 94 entrepreneurs and linked 20 participants with beneficiaries, thereby contributing to sustainable forest management.
In partnership with Care Malawi, mHub has also set up a project called Ntchito Mbambande. This focuses on improving employability and self-employment opportunities for young people. It is mainly funded by the European Union (EU) and operates in five development districts: Blantyre, Machinga, Salima, Dedza, and Mzimba.
Since its inception, mHub Malawi has facilitated over $1 million in funding for emerging entrepreneurs, created over 1,000 jobs, and trained over 42,000 young people in business and technology. In 2018, mHub won the Most Innovative Organization award at the Cloud Awards and the IOT Awards.
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Christine Namara is one of Africa's leading investors and mentors most committed to the development of the technology ecosystem. Her appointment to Flat6Labs is proof of her expertise and commitment.
Christine Namara (photo) is a Kenyan businesswoman, investor and mentor. On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, she joined leading MENA seed-stage venture capital firm Flat6Labs as a partner in its Africa Seed Fund (ASF).
"With innovation as our compass and collaboration as our engine, I am honored to join Flat6Labs, a pioneering force in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Together, we will embark on a transformative journey, unlocking the vast potential of startups across the continent. In this interconnected world, every idea has the power to change lives. I am excited to champion these innovations, catalyzing progress and leaving a lasting impact on communities in Africa and beyond," Ms. Namara said, according to a release published by Flat6Labs.
The Africa Seed Fund she is joining was recently set up by Flat6Labs to extend its reach in Africa. The $95 million investment vehicle targets North, West, and East African regions, to invest in over 160 seed-stage startups in the region's tech ecosystem.
With her wealth of venture capital and private equity experience, the new partner will be a key asset in achieving the fund’s objectives. Indeed, in 2012, she graduated from Uganda Christian University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management, specializing in Law and Business Policy. She then kickstarted her professional career as an executive administrator trainee at the Institute of Customer Service Kenya the same year. In 2013, she worked as an intern at CS Consulting Ltd. as well as a member of the customer service and marketing team at Thornsoft International.
Later, in 2021, Christine Namara joined The Baobab Network, a Nairobi-based accelerator that invests in early-stage technology companies across Africa, as a senior venture capital partner. The following year, she was appointed Head of Enterprise at the same accelerator, a position she held until October 2023.
Melchior Koba
O'Botama catalyzes innovation and is a driving force for entrepreneurial change in Africa. It provides support, training, and assistance to young entrepreneurs in securing financing for their businesses.
The O'Botama Collaborative Innovation Workshop (AIC) is a business incubator based in Cameroon. Since 2018, it has been supporting local Cameroonian entrepreneurs and those from the diaspora in the development of their businesses. It was created by the collective O.S.E.R. L'Afrique (a non-profit association established by the diaspora) and is headed by Benjamin Ngongang, an experienced professional in the financial and investment sector.
AIC is dedicated to catalyzing talent and strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit among young Africans, guiding them in creating innovative solutions for their region. To fulfill this mission, AIC provides comprehensive support to project leaders from conceptualization to value proposition assisting in the implementation of their innovation or activity, aiding in the search for financing, and facilitating connections with suitable partners.
It features a coworking space that regularly welcomes professionals and an online platform for events, training, and diverse services, it offers an incubation program specifically designed to support and accelerate innovative projects with a social impact. Program members receive tailored training sessions to address their unique needs, coupled with expert guidance to ensure the successful development of their businesses.
The incubator also has a center of expertise where a team of experts offers technical assistance, consultation, and training in the fields of law, taxation, labor and social security, project management, accounting, and finance. It also offers training in business management, digital marketing, accounting management, and personal development.
Since its creation, O'Botama has supported over 40 companies and project leaders in Cameroon and welcomed over 1,000 participants to its activities. It regularly hosts 111 coworkers in its shared workspace. A member of the AfriLabs network, the incubator is supported by Afric'Innov, Genius Center, Kmer Tech, Fiatope, and Objis, among others.
She connects African entrepreneurs with major international groups in Europe. She has received several awards and distinctions, making her a true pioneer in technology and business.
With a diverse academic and professional background, she earned a master's degree in foreign languages and cultures (USA, UK) in 2001 from Université Paris Cité. Additionally, she holds a certification in entrepreneurship from ESSEC Business School.
In 2015, she co-founded Afrobytes to offer African startups increased visibility, networking opportunities with investors, as well as opportunities for rapid expansion. Afrobytes facilitates access to the African market for European startups, companies, and investors looking for growth and investment opportunities. In addition, the company organizes technology conferences in Paris, providing a platform for meetings with players strongly committed to Africa.
Apart from Afrobytes, in 2019, Ms. Haweya Mohamed co-founded The Colors, a platform that aims to add value to the cosmetics and fashion products of African origin.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial career, Haweya Mohamed worked for Endemol, where she was a TV production assistant between 2001 and 2003. In 2004, she worked as a reality TV production assistant at Lagardère Active. The following year, she became Channel 4's broadcast rights sales coordinator before being hired in 2006 as executive assistant to the CEO of RTL in France. In 2011, RTL appointed her to the position of Head of Communications.
A member of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, in 2018, Haweya Mohamed was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the 50 most audacious entrepreneurs. The same year, U.S. business magazine Fast Company singled her out as one of the most creative minds in business. At the same time, Forbes included her in its list of 92 Women To Follow Who Are Disrupting Tech In France.
Melchior Koba
Iris Hub plays a key role in the fight against youth unemployment in Rwanda and across Africa as a whole. Through its innovative programs and commitment to education and creativity, it is positively influencing the future of Africa.
Iris Hub is an incubation and innovation center that uses technology to address youth unemployment in Rwanda. Founded in 2016 by Benjamin Manirafasha, its president and CEO, it supports young people with innovative projects in the fields of technology, art, textiles, audiovisual, e-commerce, gaming, and cybertech.
Located in the Kicukiro area of Kigali, Rwanda, Iris Hub was set up to encourage innovation and creativity, provide training, and foster connections between entrepreneurs through a variety of activities. Thanks to dedicated coaches and mentors, it provides young people and women with the right support to turn their business ideas into reality. Through workshops, conferences, bootcamps, and hackathons, it offers training, networking, and exposure opportunities.
Iris Hub has a magazine on entrepreneurship and innovation for young people, called Iris Magazine. It has also introduced a 3-6 month accelerator program that includes an initial investment, networking opportunities, sales strategies, mentoring, and a public presentation event where participants unveil their prototype at a demo day. The program aims to accelerate selected startups’ growth.
Furthermore, the center coordinates business events and conferences while providing software design and development services for managers seeking to incorporate technology into their businesses.
Since its creation, Iris Hub has incubated 15 startups, including edutech platform East African Dictionary, fintech BetaPay, cybersecurity company Intore Security Lab, and healthtech Mentale. A member of the AfriLabs network, it is supported by several partners, including ICT Chamber, Deep Ecosystems, and the Africa Europe Innovation Partnership.
Melchior Koba