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Kenyan startup SwiftAide is allowing consumers to find immediate help with everyday tasks, including cleaning, moving, deliveries and handyman work, via its mobile marketplace.

“It’s like an Uber for these and many more services,” co-founder George Karimi told Disrupt Africa.

Karimi launched SwiftAide alongside his wife Winnie Njeri in the middle of 2017, after struggling to get hold of their cleaning lady. The startup’s platform is a two-sided marketplace that connects customers with “aides”, a network of pre-approved and background-checked individuals with the time and skills needed to complete listed tasks.

“It allows people to outsource small jobs and tasks to others in their locality,” Karimi said.

SwiftAide has several categories of aides, including messengers, carpenters, deliveries, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, and nannies.

“We are basically tapping into the opportunities that exist in the informal sector, bearing in mind it controls like 70 per cent of the job market in Kenya,” said Karimi.

“Plus, people are demanding the freedom of flexible work environments. SwiftAide seeks to become a lifeline for the unemployed workforce. It wants to create an on-tap workforce without sacrificing the stability and benefits of traditional employment. The modern economy is evolving beyond the constraints of traditional work models. SwiftAide gives you a level of autonomy that was once considered too good to be true. Instead of working nine-to-five for a single employer, you can leverage the advantages of the gig economy to make earning money more relaxed and enjoyable.”

The startup – which receives a commission on every completed job, is self-funded and not looking to raise any capital until it has improved its app’s user experience, but has already seen decent uptake. It currently has around 300 listed aides and 500 clients, with around 100 successful transactions having been made through the app.

“Uptake has been quite good as we are getting people signing up from as far as Wajir and Bungoma. Kenyans are quite fast in embracing technology and seizing opportunities,” said Karimi.

“We are in most major towns in the country, but Nairobi tops in users and bookings. We are planning to be fully entrenched in most major towns in the country in the next one year and expanding to the East African market in the next five years. We are planning to expand to Rwanda after we stabilise our operations in Kenya.”

The post Kenya’s SwiftAide matches freelance labour with local demand appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Web4Africa has extended its Web Hosting infrastructure to Kenya, offering local hosting solutions from Nairobi Kenya.

Established in 2002, Web4Africa delivers world-class hosting solutions from data centres across South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and now Kenya. The entrance into Kenya offers the residents of East African countries access to low-latency and super-fast web content delivery when making use of Web4Africa since the hosting company’s infrastructure is geographically close to the end-users.

Solutions to be delivered from Kenya include regular Web Hosting plans as well as Virtual Server hosting solutions.

The regular Web Hosting plans allow clients to host their websites, databases, and email. Backed by world-class hardware and an easy-to-use web hosting control panel, users are able to make use of reliable service for their business websites, blogs, e-commerce stores etc.

The Virtual Server solutions from Web4Africa meet higher-end requirements for high-traffic websites or web apps. Enterprises with capable in-house system administrators or developers can make use of the self-managed Virtual Server hosting while Managed Virtual Server solutions that include a control panel are available to regular website owners with no server admin skills. The Virtual Server Hosting is backed by fast hardware and a reliable dual-stack IP network.

Web4Africa operates its own extensive infrastructure across Southern, West and East Africa including a dual-stack IP network that peers openly on 3 leading African Internet Exchange Points. The IXPs are NAPAfrica Johannesburg, Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX), and Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN). The company also has connectivity to Ghana Internet Exchange (GIXA) and Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) through its transit providers in the respective countries.

The company has extensive in-house skills and experience to deliver and support world-class hosting solutions.

Web4Africa is also an ICANN Accredited Domain Name Registrar offering hundreds of domain extensions including .africa, .joburg, .capetown, .durban, to clients worldwide.

The post Web4Africa has extended its Web Hosting infrastructure to Kenya appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Web4Africa has extended its Web Hosting infrastructure to Kenya, offering local hosting solutions from Nairobi Kenya.

Established in 2002, Web4Africa delivers world-class hosting solutions from data centres across South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and now Kenya. The entrance into Kenya offers the residents of East African countries access to low-latency and super-fast web content delivery when making use of Web4Africa since the hosting company’s infrastructure is geographically close to the end-users.

Solutions to be delivered from Kenya include regular Web Hosting plans as well as Virtual Server hosting solutions.

The regular Web Hosting plans allow clients to host their websites, databases, and email. Backed by world-class hardware and an easy-to-use web hosting control panel, users are able to make use of reliable service for their business websites, blogs, e-commerce stores etc.

The Virtual Server solutions from Web4Africa meet higher-end requirements for high-traffic websites or web apps. Enterprises with capable in-house system administrators or developers can make use of the self-managed Virtual Server hosting while Managed Virtual Server solutions that include a control panel are available to regular website owners with no server admin skills. The Virtual Server Hosting is backed by fast hardware and a reliable dual-stack IP network.

Web4Africa operates its own extensive infrastructure across Southern, West and East Africa including a dual-stack IP network that peers openly on 3 leading African Internet Exchange Points. The IXPs are NAPAfrica Johannesburg, Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX), and Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN). The company also has connectivity to Ghana Internet Exchange (GIXA) and Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) through its transit providers in the respective countries.

The company has extensive in-house skills and experience to deliver and support world-class hosting solutions.

Web4Africa is also an ICANN Accredited Domain Name Registrar offering hundreds of domain extensions including .africa, .joburg, .capetown, .durban, to clients worldwide.

The post Web4Africa has extended its Web Hosting infrastructure to Kenya appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Startups and innovation are at the heart of a “new wind” blowing through the economy of Mauritius, best known economically as an offshore tax haven. And co-working company The Hive is determined to play a key role as this develops.

The Hive is a multi-site co-working company with locations in four different cities around the island – Saint Pierre, Tamarin, Curepipe and Port Louis. It launched its first branch in November 2016 in Saint Pierre, with its most recent space opening in Curepipe in September.

“The Hive is more than a workplace, with a growing community of like-minded people with whom our members can collaborate and expand their business ideas and projects,” Daphné Rouillard, workplace and community manager at The Hive, told Disrupt Africa.

The company is banking on the development of the startup space in Mauritius, with Rouillard saying a “new wind” is blowing through the Mauritian economy these days. The government has  put innovation and SMEs at the heart of its plans for growth of Mauritian trade.

“The Mauritian government has been a great support in promoting SMEs. Starting from the taxation rate, which is very interesting compared to other countries, to easier access to education, meaning companies have flexible, qualified and bilingual staff,” she said.

Administrative procedures, meanwhile, have been simplified.

“Creating your company some years ago would have taken you few months, nowadays three to four days are enough to be your own boss,” said Rouillard.

“Funding is easier nowadays with the support from organisations such as SMEDA, business angels, private investors and other schemes which have been set up to provide financial or technical assistance to these developing companies.”

All of this informs The Hive’s view that startups have a big future in Mauritius. The company provides shared working spaces, private offices, and meeting and conference rooms across its various spaces, providing a professional atmosphere for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

The concept was developed by two young entrepreneurs – Nicolas Dalais and Sofyan Zouioueche. Their aim was to provide a “third desk” for people who constantly on the move during the day, and who which to avoid traffic.

“The Hive is the third desk for of all those wishing to have a cosy and professional space to work and receive their clients,” Rouillard said.

“After the launch of The Hive Saint Pierre, the management decided to expand their concept into a mobile workplace. They then considered the idea of creating a community of entrepreneurs and freelancers who would support each other and grow their business.”

Two years later, and it is well established. In addition, Rouillard said it is focusing on building a community of entrepreneurs and supporting them through events, networking sessions and business coaching.

“As we grow and support our community, we will continue organising events and programmes which will be beneficial to entrepreneurs,” she said.

The post How startups are the “new wind” blowing through the Mauritian economy appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Startups and innovation are at the heart of a “new wind” blowing through the economy of Mauritius, best known economically as an offshore tax haven. And co-working company The Hive is determined to play a key role as this develops.

The Hive is a multi-site co-working company with locations in four different cities around the island – Saint Pierre, Tamarin, Curepipe and Port Louis. It launched its first branch in November 2016 in Saint Pierre, with its most recent space opening in Curepipe in September.

“The Hive is more than a workplace, with a growing community of like-minded people with whom our members can collaborate and expand their business ideas and projects,” Daphné Rouillard, workplace and community manager at The Hive, told Disrupt Africa.

The company is banking on the development of the startup space in Mauritius, with Rouillard saying a “new wind” is blowing through the Mauritian economy these days. The government has  put innovation and SMEs at the heart of its plans for growth of Mauritian trade.

“The Mauritian government has been a great support in promoting SMEs. Starting from the taxation rate, which is very interesting compared to other countries, to easier access to education, meaning companies have flexible, qualified and bilingual staff,” she said.

Administrative procedures, meanwhile, have been simplified.

“Creating your company some years ago would have taken you few months, nowadays three to four days are enough to be your own boss,” said Rouillard.

“Funding is easier nowadays with the support from organisations such as SMEDA, business angels, private investors and other schemes which have been set up to provide financial or technical assistance to these developing companies.”

All of this informs The Hive’s view that startups have a big future in Mauritius. The company provides shared working spaces, private offices, and meeting and conference rooms across its various spaces, providing a professional atmosphere for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

The concept was developed by two young entrepreneurs – Nicolas Dalais and Sofyan Zouioueche. Their aim was to provide a “third desk” for people who constantly on the move during the day, and who which to avoid traffic.

“The Hive is the third desk for of all those wishing to have a cosy and professional space to work and receive their clients,” Rouillard said.

“After the launch of The Hive Saint Pierre, the management decided to expand their concept into a mobile workplace. They then considered the idea of creating a community of entrepreneurs and freelancers who would support each other and grow their business.”

Two years later, and it is well established. In addition, Rouillard said it is focusing on building a community of entrepreneurs and supporting them through events, networking sessions and business coaching.

“As we grow and support our community, we will continue organising events and programmes which will be beneficial to entrepreneurs,” she said.

The post How startups are the “new wind” blowing through the Mauritian economy appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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The Startup Manifesto, Egypt’s first comprehensive documentation of the challenges facing the entrepreneurship ecosystem, has been launched by RiseUp.

The manifesto, which is available to view online, address the local startup scene’s most pressing issues, ranging from access to data, access to funding, the talent brain drain, and policies and regulatory requirements.

Launched ahead of the sixth annual RiseUp Summit, the Startup Manifesto was put together by a group of nearly 200 stakeholders with expertise in venture capital, building companies, legal frameworks, public policy, education, talent management, accelerators and incubators over a period of 12 months.

“As part of its mission, RiseUp initiated the Startup Manifesto project as a catalyst for change. The Manifesto, outlines current challenges and proposing concrete solutions, aims at improving the current entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt. It targets to increase ecosystem readiness for fostering entrepreneurship, thereby gearing the ecosystem towards its full potential,” the Manifesto says.

“The Manifesto is developed by the ecosystem for the ecosystem. Through interviews with various stakeholder groups and several review sessions, we constructed a Manifesto that portrays the ecosystem’s real challenges. The Manifesto does not stop at offering solutions. Instead, it needs to be understood as the foundational document based on which a collective action reform movement towards ecosystem improvement is initiated.”

The post Startup Manifesto launched in Egypt to boost local scene appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Ugandan business accelerator Imuka Ventures has launched the ImukaAccess app, aiming to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses by connecting local founders with investors and mentors.

The ImukaAccess app was designed to complement existing incubators, accelerators and business support services in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uganda; by helping entrepreneurs to access the right networks, opportunities, personalised support and investment.

“We know that small businesses across the country are struggling to survive, and that many hard-working entrepreneurs lack access to the mentors support and financing that would help them grow. We want to change that,” says Roy Gakuo, founder of Imuka Ventures.

The app aims to strengthen trust and transparency between entrepreneurs and investors. Entrepreneurs’ businesses are verified as legitimate by Imuka Experts, which includes at least one initial visit to ensure the validity of the business as an investment opportunity. This process also allows Imuka Experts to provide entrepreneurs with the right kind of personalised support that will help the businesses grow.

“If we can help more Ugandans succeed in their enterprises, we will find the country as a whole will benefit with greater youth unemployment and greater wealth shared among a strengthened and growing economy,” says Gakuo.

The ImukaAccess app is free to download on Android and iOS, with paid options for entrepreneurs seeking a personalised support experience.

The post Ugandan accelerator launches app connecting entrepreneurs and investors appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Applications are open to startups from around the continent to Pitch Live at the Africa Startup Summit in Kigali in February, with 10 startups to be given the chance to take to the stage before an audience of over 400 investors, corporate partners, accelerators and media.

The Africa Startup Summit will bring together stakeholders in the tech startup space across the continent in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 14 -15, to explore the opportunities and challenges within the ecosystem, while showcasing Africa’s abundant entrepreneurial talent.

The focus of the Summit will be on encouraging collaboration, and creating connections between investors, corporates, stakeholders and startups.

As part of this mission, the top 10 startups from around Africa will be given the chance to pitch their business live on stage to the audience of over 400 local and international decision-makers.

Selected startups will also have the opportunity to attend the rest of the event, which features three Summits, and take part in the wide variety of workshops, discussions and networking sessions taking place over the three days.

Applications are open to African tech-enabled startups operating in any field. Startups applying must also be less than five years old; have at least an MVP, ideally with existing traction; have raised less than US$1 million in external funding; and have a current “ask”.

“We’re excited to open up the main stage at Africa Startup Summit to the continent’s most promising startups and have them wow the audience. We’re constantly impressed by the innovative, impactful startups we meet across Africa on a daily basis, and we want to support them in getting their story out there. We hope the chance to Pitch Live at the Summit will help create the connections they need to grow,” says Gabriella Mulligan, co-founder at Disrupt Africa.

“We are keen for the first Africa Startup Summit to be more than just another “talking shop”, but rather a forum where we can play a pivotal role in connecting startups with the investors and partners they need to scale their businesses across Africa and the rest of the world. We’re looking for 10 innovative and impactful startups to showcase at the event, and can’t wait to play a part in helping them fulfill their potential,” said Tom Jackson, co-founder at Disrupt Africa.

Startups must be able to attend the Summit in Kigali in person. Applications are open here, until January 11, with applications to be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Tickets to attend are currently on sale here.

The post Applications open to Pitch Live at Africa Startup Summit appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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South African insurtech startup Naked Insurance has raised ZAR30 million (US$2.2 million) in follow-on funding from existing investors Yellowwoods and Hollard to expand its operations and launch new products.

Naked, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven car insurance provider, launched to market in South Africa in April after initially raising funding from Hollard, South Africa’s largest privately-owned insurance group, and private investment firm Yellowwoods in October 2017.

After the startup successfully met key milestones, the two firms have now invested a further ZAR30 million (US$2.2 million) in Naked to enable the company to accelerate its growth and expand into new product lines.

“We are proud to receive this vote in confidence from our investors and look forward to rolling out new products in response to customer demand,” said Naked co-founder Alex Thomson.

The startup now plans to grow its team, ramp up customer acquisitions and expand into new short-term insurance product categories following a strong first six months of trading, with customer acquisition and retention rates exceeding the company’s expectations.

“We’re delighted by the response our insurance offering has received from the market. Our proposition of putting the customer in control, value for money and customer fairness is resonating with connected customers who are looking for a better car insurance experience,” said Thomson.

Naked uses AI and automation to lower costs, put customers in control of their insurance experience, reduce fraud and enhance insurance as a social good. Customers can go online and get a final car insurance quote in less than 90 seconds, without speaking to a contact centre agent.

“We are proud investors in Naked because we embrace innovation that delivers an improved customer experience and enhances fairness for policyholders. Its strong performance over the past six months validates its business model, giving us confidence in its ability to drive further growth and innovation in the months to come,” said Nic Kohler, head of insurance at Yellowwoods.

The post SA’s Naked Insurance raises additional $2.2m from existing investors appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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Gabon-based event ticketing startup Tikkeo has expanded to the Ivory Coast on the back of impressive uptake at home.

Launched in 2015, Tikkeo allows organisers to promote their events and sell tickets online, with attendees paying using mobile money.

Organisers can run marketing campaigns, sell tickets, track registrations, and follow cash flow in real time, while users can purchase tickets in an easy manner.

“Our added value at the pan-African level is about technology. We have one of the most advanced technologies that allows us to cover the entire value chain of ticketing,” Tikkeo founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Laurain Essono Ngoua told Disrupt Africa.

The startup has so far facilitated the sale of almost 30,000 tickets in Gabon, and has now started operations in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Tikkeo makes revenues by charging commission of eight per cent for every ticket sold through its platform.

The post Gabon ticketing startup Tikkeo launches in Ivory Coast appeared first on Disrupt Africa.

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