Ghanaian startups ASOR and Sunshade Energy will on September 22 take place in the country final of the global Negawatt competition, bidding to win a chance to pitch at the Smart City Expo Congress in Barcelona.
The two teams have just completed the three-month accelerator phase of the World Bank-organised Negawatt Challenge, which focuses on energy efficiency and low carbon growth. The competition culminates in November at the Smart City World Expo Congress.
Disrupt Africa reported in May Sunshade Energy and WI had been selected to continue to the accelerator stage of the challenge. WI subsequently pulled out for personal reasons, with ASOR taking their place having finished third at Demo Day. Local legs have also taken place in Kenya and Tanzania.
Alison Roadburg, programmes manager of local host iSpace told Disrupt Africa it had been fascinating watching the teams transform throughout the competition.
“We have always highlighted the importance around the ‘process’ of this challenge, as opposed to just focusing on the final prize,” she said.
“From 13 teams pitching at Negawatt Weekend in March, to four teams pitching at Demo Day in June, to the final 2 teams pitching next week, we are continually humbled with the support, encouragement and dedication of the mentors, judges and community as a whole. We can’t wait to see what the outcome is next week.”
