Fintech startup Akiba has been crowned winner of the Seedstars Kampala pitching event, and will represent Uganda at the global finals in Switzerland next year, standing the chance to win US$1 million in funding.
11 startups pitched head-to-head at the Ugandan leg of the world-touring Seedstars World competition this Friday (September 30), which was held at the Outbox Hub in capital Kampala.
The jury named fintech startup Akiba winner, for its app which aims to transform finance by making it collective, giving people the tools for practical and transparent management of their finances.
Merchant payment solution DusuPay came in second place; while in third place was Panya, which uses chatbot technology to improve local product and service listings.
“We started this company because my mom was having difficulties trying to make a difference in her community. We are very happy to see that this has transformed into a business,” said Ivan Mworozi of Akiba.
Akiba will join other regional winners in Switzerland in April 2017, where they will participate in a week-long bootcamp, culminating in the Seedstars World global finals, where startups pitch live for the chance to win up to US$1 million in equity investment.
Winners have already been selected in Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria,Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania and now Uganda; with the next African event set for Kenya on October 7.
