YAPILI NAMED BOTSWANA BEST STARTUP AT SEEDSTARS GABORONE

On November 3rd during Seedstars Gaborone, Yapili won the Botswana 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 Botswana round to a successful close during Seedstars Gaborone. The event took place last Friday at the University of Botswana and 9 selected startups were invited to present their ideas in front of the local jury panel.

The local winner, YAPILI, a peer-to-peer web platform and Android App offering new opportunities for many Africans to connect to doctors for health advice, was selected the best startup in Botswana. As a part of the prize, Yapili 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 an audience of 1000 attendees, with the possibility of winning up to the USD 1 million equity investment and other prizes.

StudentPark, a platform where students get accurate information from relevant stakeholders, came second and  Indie Studios Africa,  a social e-commerce consultancy Service Provider addressing the needs of the unbanked in emerging markets grabbed the last spot in the top 3.

The other startups invited to pitch were Jobcard ,  Keakopa Explore,  Leintel Codemasters HoldingsLunchbox,  Medmall Africa,  Optimum Q.

The eleven startups pitched in front of a prestigious jury: Onkabetse Morapedi, Head Enterprise Banking at Stanbic Bank, Susanne Swaniker-Tettey, Chief Financial Officer at Okavango Diamond Company, Thabiso Mashaba Co-Founder These Hands and Claudia Makadristo Regional Manager for Africa at Seedstars World

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 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.

The event was made possible thanks to the support provided by our main partner Stanbic Bank Botswana,  our local ambassador Udugu Institute, our regional partners Orange, Enel Green Power, Merck, VC4A and Microsoft4Afrika and our local supporters Botswana Innovation Hub, FranklinCovey, Botho University, Google Developer, Afrolutionist.

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

About Seedstars

Seedstars is a global organisation with a mission to impact people's lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship.

We roam the globe to connect with the digital changemakers of the emerging world shaping a new wave of social change. Our teams tread on the entrepreneurial arena across five continents, breaking stories about startups set upon defying the status quo. Our target represents 85% of human population, the opportunities encompass billions of lives, the scope of impact is infinite.

We invest in people, we connect teams, we encourage risk. We empower entrepreneurial spirits to swim against the tide. Join us online or in person at our events anywhere around the globe. Join us as we seek to impact billions of lives in emerging markets.

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