Back at the start of the year, Disrupt Africa unveiled its 12 African startups to watch in 2016. A risky enterprise indeed. But how did we get on with our predictions?
Egyptian e-commerce startup Yaoota
We said: “Raised US$2.7 million in funding – the largest investment in an Egyptian tech startup to date – from the Abu Dhabi-based KBBO Group to aid its expansion across Africa and the Middle East; so 2016 promises to be an exciting year for the startup.”
What actually happened: Expanded to the UAE and Saudi Arabia on the back of the funding, and now eyeing Sub-Saharan Africa. Gets 600,000 users each month.
Verdict: Hit
Moroccan e-health startup DabaDoc
We said: “In September, DabaDoc launched in Nigeria and South Africa, as part of a rapid pan-continental expansion push; and by that time featured doctors in 72 different specialties across 50 cities.”
What actually happened: Still pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy across North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Verdict: Hit
Kenyan fintech startup Shield Finance
We said: “The startup is still looking to raise a seed round of US$350,000 for equity, which will be used to hire sales staff and ramp up its technical capacity in readiness to scale.”
What actually happened: Has pivoted to an app-based model, and developed a turnkey telecom subscriber lending platform and partnered with one telecoms firm.
Verdict: Touch and go
Kenyan agri-tech startup WeFarm
We said: “Launched in November last year, WeFarm already has over 38,000 users, and is targeting more than 500,000 active farmers by the end of 2016.”
What actually happened: A year of significant growth and expansion to other markets. Also won The Venture competition and raised funding.
Verdict: Hit
Rwandan on-demand motorcycle taxi app SafeMotos
We said: “The startup has raised US$85,000, and plans to hit 400 trips per day in the next couple of months.”
What actually happened: Closed a convertible note funding round, has 12,000 subscribers and has completed 50,000 trips.
Verdict: Hit
Kenyan transport safety startup CladLight
We said: “Hopes to mass produce Smart Jackets for motorcycle assembly plants, insurance companies and bike retail stores.”
What actually happened: All quiet on the CladLight front.
Verdict: Miss
South African recruitment startup Giraffe
We said: “Launched in February this year, by December the startup had hit 70,000 users only 10 months after launching.”
What actually happened: Won the Seedstars World competition, and then raised funding from Omidyar Network.
Verdict: Hit
South African on-demand home cleaning startup SweepSouth
We said: “SweepSouth said the funding would enable it to accelerate its growth further and scale rapidly – so this startup is definitely one to keep an eye on in 2016.”
What actually happened: Raised another funding round, launched a mobile app, and expanded to Durban.
Verdict: Hit
South African e-health startup Vula Mobile
We said: “Initially backed by grants from the likes of the SAB Foundation, DG Murray Trust, The Innovation Hub and the Shuttleworth Foundation, Vula Mobile is currently raising its first round of investment.”
What actually happened: Has chosen not to take on equity but has won a number of awards and cash grants, expanded into Namibia, and diversified its offering. Has helped almost 7,000 patients.
Verdict: Hit
Ghanaian real estate startup meQasa
We said: “Hit the headlines having raised US$500,000 in funding from VC firm Frontier Digital Ventures to boost its bid to become Africa’s Zillow. With the funding, meQasa promised to ramp up the development of its mobile and web service experiences, and expand its sales and marketing outreach, so 2016 will be a busy year for them.”
What actually happened: Steadily building its customer base and expanding its product. More to come.
Verdict: Hit
Nigerian e-commerce startup DealDey
We said: “Promising to become “the strongest e-commerce site in Africa”, DealDey has plans to scale rapidly to all of Nigeria’s major cities, then to Ghana, and across the continent.”
What actually happened: Acquired by Ringier Africa and Silvertree Internet Holdings.
Verdict: Hit
Nigerian ride-sharing startup GoMyWay
We said: “Having initially launched in Nigeria earlier this year, GoMyWay quickly announced plans to expand to South Africa, followed by Kenya and Ghana.”
What actually happened: All gone very quiet, and not clear if any expansion actually happened.
Verdict: Miss
> Overall total <
9 Hits
2 Misses
1 Touch and go
Turns out we’re not too bad at this! Keep an eye out over the next five days for our 12 African tech startups to watch in 2017. A very happy new year to all.
