InnovationCorner, HelpMum, PiggyBank, more African ventures, in London for Go Global Africa Programme

HelpMum, PiggyBank, ThriveAgric, InnovationCorner are among the 20 development-focused ventures from  Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa currently in London for the first Go Global Africa programme. The startups arrived London Monday, March 25, 2019, for the two-week programme to help take their business to the next level.

Go Global is a hugely successful innovation scheme which supports startups to improve their business skills and capability, build links with the UK’s thriving tech sector while creating a platform for them to work with UK expertise on taking their firms to the next level.

The programme is part of the UK-Africa Innovation Partnerships announced by Prime Minister Theresa May in August 2018, which aim to create a mutually beneficial partnership with Africa. This will help develop new tech to solve local and global issues and pave the way for future trade.  According to the most recent report on its impact, the UK Israel Tech Hub has led 175 tech partnerships in deals worth £85 million. Not only does the scheme help firms in the host country but it also plays a vital part in making links for UK startups in these new markets. And with young populations, five of the world’s fastest growing economies and a thirst for innovation, Africa is a continent alive with opportunity.

“It is fantastic to welcome these talented entrepreneurs to the UK. Africa is a vibrant and dynamic continent, with huge potential for growth, and the firms chosen for the first Go Global Africa programme see tech as a force for good in society. I’ve no doubt they have the talent to play a transformative role in their country’s growth while also building connections for UK startups in new markets and highlighting Britain as the place to develop new technology,” Digital Minister Margot James said.

The startups, selected from more than 400 applicants, are developing cutting-edge products and services in industries including fintech, healthcare, agritech and water management. Below is the complete list of the founders and startups;

• Ethredah Chao Mwalwala, Afya-Plan, Health Financing start up
• Godfrey Allan Tollo Ochieng, Myfugo Innovations LTD, Agritech
• Nasreen Ali Mohamed, Cherehani Africa, Fintech
• Richard Machomba Muita, FlexPay Technologies, Fintech
• Jamie Wilfred John Magambo, CropCrowd, Agritech
• Isaac Maina Karani, Elikham Systems Limited, Water Management Tech
• Tochukwu Chiemeziem Egesi, Innovation Corner Digital Health
• Paul David Azemoh, Thrive Agric, Agritech
• Muhammad Salisu Abdullahi, eTrash2Cash, Fintech
• Eunice Odunayo Eweniyi, Piggybank.ng, Fintech
• Abiodun Akanji Adereni, HelpMum, Digital Health
• Faith Ekwebelam, Social Lender, Fintech
• Ralph Gbenga Oluwole, Helium Health, Digital Health
• Vinodhan Naidu, Envisionit E-Escrow, Fintech
• Owen David Meredith, GLU Global (Pty) Ltd, Information Technology Systems Integration
• Tania Engau Ikedji Mukwamu, MaxiCash (Pty) Ltd, Fintech
• Tyron Geoff Fouche, Nobuntu, Fintech
• Marnus Jacobus van Heerden, Pineapple Tech (Pty) Ltd, Insurtech
• Neo Valentine Hutiri, Technovera Pty Ltd, Digital Health
• Stephanus Hattingh, Health Solutions Africa, Digital Health

Bethnal Green Ventures, Europe’s first tech for good accelerator, will provide the startups with insights on how to launch and scale tech for good ventures and Carlos Espinal from Seedcamp will provide guidance on fundraising.  Additionally, the startups will receive ongoing support from the UK’s International Tech Hub Network, which now spans three continents and has seven hubs, acts as Go Global champions and share the skills they have learned to mentor other firms in their countries.

This according to the Go Global Africa programme, will help spread digital skills, capability and entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs and prosperity.