NBA Africa has announced the ten startups from seven African countries selected to pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at a demo day on September 25. This event will mark the conclusion of the Triple-Double accelerator programme.
As an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization, NBA Africa oversees the league’s operations in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In April, TechMoonshot however reported that NBA Africa had opened applications for Triple-Double, a startup accelerator designed to provide early-stage African startups with cash prizes and additional support. Operated by tech incubator ALX Ventures, the Triple-Double programme targets startups across Africa developing solutions in event management, ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing within the sports and creative industries.
Thus, ten African startups were chosen to participate in the programme and were paired with mentors from NBA Africa, ALX, and other corporate stakeholders. These startups received invaluable guidance focused on product development, business growth, and go-to-market strategies.
Consequently, the selected startups will now pitch their innovations at the demo day at NBA headquarters in New York City on September 25. A panel will then select the four winning companies, which will receive financial support, mentorship, and the opportunity to participate in workshops and development programs facilitated by NBA Africa or its partners.
Read also: Tech and Basketball: NBA Africa Eyes Partnerships with Early-Stage Startups.
The cohort includes four startups from Nigeria:
- Buzza, which enhances sports organizations’ operations through digital solutions;
- Festival Coins, offering a customizable, no-code event registration and ticketing platform;
- Naemo Global, which has developed proprietary scouting software using data analytics and AI;
- Salubata, which creates modular shoes repurposed from plastic waste.
In addition, other selected startups include:
- Rwanda’s Backrest, providing a wearable technology solution called WristWrist for cashless payments at event venues;
- Ivory Coast’s Gara, a video gaming and comics platform facilitating digital entertainment distribution across the continent;
- Kenya’s HustleSasa, offering live event services such as payment processing, attendee check-in, and merchandise sales.
Furthermore, completing the cohort are:
- Ghana’s Power to Girls Foundation, which operates a mentorship platform called My Power App, aimed at empowering girls and women aged 13-20;
- Egypt’s UBR VR, delivering fully immersive in-person virtual reality (VR) experiences;
- South Africa’s Vambo Technologies, offering a digital language technology platform leveraging AI for real-time translation, content creation, and language learning.
“We have been inspired by the level of talent and creativity from all of the applicants,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. “We congratulate the ten deserving finalists who will showcase their innovative solutions at Demo Day later this month. NBA Africa supports the growth of startups across the continent and will boost the sport and creative industries in Africa for years to come by empowering the four prize-winners with innovative solutions.”
