Eight African startups have secured a coveted spot in the 2024 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield, an event that has become a launching pad for some of the most innovative companies worldwide. Open to global startups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and early-stage funding (typically pre-seed or seed), this year’s competition attracted hundreds of applicants. The finalists will compete in San Francisco from October 28 to 30, with the opportunity to gain significant exposure and investment.
Previous Startup Battlefield participants have gone on to raise over $29 billion in funding, with notable alumni including BioticsAI, an AI-powered health platform, and Minerva Lithium, a company revolutionizing lithium extraction. For African startups, participation in this global event is a game-changer, offering unparalleled visibility and access to international investors.
Among the 200 finalists, eight African startups, seven from Nigeria and one from Morocco, will showcase their innovative solutions across a variety of sectors:
1. Convexity Technologies (Nigeria)
Convexity provides blockchain-based solutions, including its flagship product, CHATS (Convexity Humanitarian Aid Transfer Solution). CHATS enhances transparency in aid distribution by giving recipients access to a verified wallet account, even without internet or a smartphone.
2. Eight Medical (Nigeria)
Dubbed the “Uber + 911 for Africa,” Eight Medical connects emergency medical resources—such as hospitals and ambulances—to individuals in need, helping to bridge gaps in urgent care access across the continent.
3. Growwr (Nigeria)
Leveraging AI, Growwr has developed an automated hiring platform that connects vetted African talent with businesses, aiming to streamline and enhance the recruitment process.
4. Gwala (Morocco)
Gwala simplifies payroll and employee benefits for businesses, particularly in Morocco, with a focus on real-time tracking of employee work hours, leave days, and performance, making tax compliance and payroll management more efficient.
5. Passportmonie (Nigeria)
This app allows travelers to make payments in local currencies, eliminating costly exchange fees. With ambitions to become the top travel payment app globally, Passportmonie is currently seeking funding to expand its reach.
6. Sync! (Nigeria)
Sync! is an all-in-one collaboration platform designed to boost teamwork and productivity with tools for project management, communication, and file sharing, tailored for both remote and in-office environments.
7. Validproof (Nigeria)
Validproof tackles the global counterfeit medicine crisis, offering solutions to authenticate pharmaceuticals and help combat a $200 billion-a-year problem.
8. Wimika RMS Technologies (Nigeria)
Wimika’s MoneyGuard service provides embedded cyber fraud protection, promising reimbursement within seven days. The service targets emerging markets, positioning itself as the first and last line of defence against online fraud.
For these startups, the competition is a crucial opportunity to attract investors, build partnerships, and gain recognition on a global scale. TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield has proven to be a transformative platform, and the inclusion of these African startups underscores the region’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem.
