{{Kigali, Rwanda, 8 October 2014}},{ think, Africa’s newest technology incubator, today announced its first group of companies selected for support. The four selected teams represent innovative, digital, private sector solutions that demonstrate the potential to scale across Africa. They were chosen from more than 150 applications from across the globe.
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The four winners have been offered $15,000 funding, access to Tigo networks across Africa, mentoring from business and tech leaders, tech-specific curriculum on how to develop their businesses and a range of support from think corporate partners.
Tongai Maramba, General Manager of TIgo Rwanda said: “The companies we have selected for think show innovation in a crowded playing field. The founders are smart, determined and have the potential to scale their firms across the continent. After a rigorous review process, we have selected companies that demonstrate incredible promise.”
The following winners were selected after in-depth interviews with think’s Investment Committee:
{{Beliaa, Egypt: www.beliaa.com }}
Beliaa is a mobile application for Road Assistance, using GPS Location
services, and provides traffic tracking and other transportation information features. The company was founded in 2012 by Amgad Morgan, and has quickly been gaining user traction in Cairo.
{{Cribpark, Nigeria: www.cribpark.com }}
Cribpark offers platform for real estate matching, home design, and architecture, and connects homeowners to an array of valuable goods and services. Cofounded by Dare O. Pius and Oaldapo Ayo, the team of eight is building a one-stop shop for African housing items for a local context.
{{PollAfrique, Ghana: www.pollafrique.com }}
PollAfrique is a research platform for Africa, allowing respondents to participate in incentivized surveys via a number of online channels. Developed out of Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (M.E.S.T.) in Ghana, CEO Samuel Dzidzornu leads a strong team that will bring a new perspective on big data. Recently featured on CNBC, PollAfrique has been highlighted as a “Venture of Pan-African Significance”.
{{TorQue, Rwanda: www.torque.co.rw }}
TorQue delivers channel management software for wholesale distributors in the beverage and telecommunications industries and is designed to run the entire distribution business. Founded in Kigali by Jean Niyotwagira, the company has some traction with large-scale beverage distributors, and is looking to expand.
The four selected teams have been invited to participate in a six-month accelerator program, beginning in Kigali, Rwanda in early November 2014.
{{About think:}}
think, the Technology Incubator in Kigali, was established in 2014 in Rwanda to identify and support leading tech start-ups seeking to create digital solutions for Africa. Starting in the autumn of 2014, think will welcome its first companies to its incubator facility to Kigali with its young and dynamic population. With significant government investment in the country’s ICT infrastructure, Rwanda provides a unique opportunity as a platform for technology startups. Millicom, operating under the Tigo brand, is the investor behind think and supports committed entrepreneurs to set up and launch their businesses. In October 2014, Ventures Africa described think as a “Startup Incubator to Watch”.
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