In an exciting step forward for African entrepreneurship, NBA Africa has revealed the 10 startup companies selected to participate in the Demo Day at the NBA headquarters in New York City.

These companies, hailing from seven African countries, are part of the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” which was launched in April 2024 to nurture innovation and support the continent’s emerging tech ecosystem.

The accelerator, operated by ALX Ventures, focuses on early-stage African startups developing solutions in event management, AI, digital marketing, and youth development, targeting the sports and creative industries.

Following an earlier registration that ended in May, these startups were paired with mentors from NBA Africa, ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders, who have been instrumental in guiding the companies through product development, scaling strategies, and market expansion.

At Demo Day this September, the 10 selected startups will pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of international industry leaders.

This event will determine four winners, who will receive financial backing, mentorship, and the chance to participate in developmental programs organized by NBA Africa and its partners competing for four prize-winning spots.

These startups represent a wide range of industries and innovations, from sports to tech. Nigeria stands out with four contenders, including Buzza, a platform designed to help sports organizations streamline operations through digital solutions, and Festival Coins, which offers a no-code event registration platform tailored for events in Nigeria and Ghana. Naemo Global, another Nigerian startup, is revolutionizing sports scouting through AI-powered analytics, while Salubata is tackling environmental challenges with modular shoes made from recycled plastic, reducing the global carbon footprint.

Other startups are sprinkled across 6 different countries. Rwanda’s Backrest offers a wearable technology called WristWrist, designed to enable cashless payments at event venues, enhancing the event experience with seamless transactions. Côte d’Ivoire’s Gara is breaking new ground in digital entertainment, offering a platform that distributes video games and comics across the continent, while Kenya’s HustleSasa provides an integrated solution for live event services, from payment processing to merchandise sales.

The rest of the startups on the lineup bringing a breadth of innovation from across Africa include Ghana’s Power to Girls Foundation, which aims to empower young women through its mentorship platform through its My Power App; Egypt’s UBR VR, which offers immersive virtual reality experiences; while South Africa’s Vambo Technologies rounds out the group with a language technology platform that leverages AI to provide real-time translation and content creation, fostering digital inclusion across the continent.

The program aims to support Africa’s tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries.

The selected startups are expected to not only benefit from financial and technical support but also contribute to shaping Africa’s future in the global tech landscape.