MATONTINE NAMED SENEGAL BEST STARTUP AT SEEDSTARS DAKAR

On September 22nd during Seedstars Dakar, MaTontine won the Senegal round of Seedstars World and will represent the country at the Seedstars Summit in Switzerland to compete for up to USD 1 million in equity investment and other prizes.

Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes brought its Senegal round to a successful close during Seedstars Dakar. With the support of the main supporter Groupe Cofina, the event took place last Friday at Pullman Teranga Hotel, and 9 selected startups were invited to present their ideas in front of the local jury panel.

The local winner,  MaTontine was selected the best startup in Senegal, it provides access to small loans and related financial services like micro-insurance by digitizing traditional savings circles. As a part of the prize, MaTontine will be participating at Seedstars Summit, taking place in Switzerland in April 2018, a weeklong training program with the opportunity to meet the other 75 winners, as well as investors and mentors from around the world. Traditionally, the final day of the Summit will be dedicated to pitching in front of audience of 1000 attendees, with the possibility of winning up to the USD 1 million equity investment and other prizes.

Bayseddo, a platform that allows farmers to finance their crop year, came second and PayDunya, one stop shop to create, manage & grow sales on social networks and get paid from all relevant payment methods in Africa with CRM toolbox, grabbed the last spot in the top 3.  The other startups invited to pitch were ADN Africa, Direct Solution, Sika Technologie, Sanar Soft, Skillake, Carvi Writer.

The nine startups pitched in front of a prestigious jury: Laissa Mouen from Cofina Group, Mamadou Marème Diop from Jumia Travel, Marième Diop from Orange Digital Ventures, Emmanuelle Keinde from McCann Dakar, Maxime Bayen from GSMA, Magatte Camara from Jokkolabs Dakar  and Fanny Dauchez from Seedstars World.

“Global competitions such as seedstars World are key to Dakar’s emerging startup ecosystem. SSW Dakar now stands as a major event in our ecosystem’s agenda. It gives a regional and global exposure to our best entrepreneurs which is key to attract key players like investors to our ecosystem. » says Babacar Birane from Concree, local Seedstars ambassador.

At the same time, Seedstars World is also working very closely with Enel Green Power to source the most innovative business models in the energy sectors and ones that are fostering socio-economic development in rural villages in Africa. Up to 5 best startups in this sector will be invited for an exclusive RES4Africa networking event taking place later this November in Nairobi and compete for an Africa Energy Prize which consists of a financial contribution and a three-month acceleration programme for a total value of up to $50,000.

Further support was provided by our regional Partners Orange and Microsoft and local supporters McCann Dakar, Accor Hotels, Kinaya Lab, Sonatel, ADEPME, Social Netlink.org.

Continuing on its world tour of startup scenes in emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, Seedstars World’s next stop is Douala to select the best startup in Cameroon. Seedstars World is looking for smart startups that solve regional issues and/or develop profitable products for the global market.