The startup and tech event Latitude59 has announced the selection of 10 African startups as finalists in its Latitude59 Kenya Pitch Competition. These startups will compete for the chance to pitch at Latitude59 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia, where they will vie for a prize pool of EUR 1 M (USD 1.05 M).

This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 382 applicants from 37 countries, underscoring the event’s expanding reach across Africa and beyond.

Countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa were strongly represented, with additional entries from regions such as the UAE, India, and Azerbaijan.

Founding Member of Nairobi Business Angels Network Nick Vilelle noted “We see more and more founders building for East Africa but with plans for global expansion, and I think that is an exciting sign of things to come.”

Reflecting a shift in Africa’s startup ecosystem, this year’s applications emphasized solutions in agriculture, sustainability, and tech-for-impact over fintech, which has typically dominated African innovation.

This change highlights an increasing focus on addressing critical issues such as food security, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.

Latitude59’s project manager, Dolores Daniel, noted the evolution in startup focus, saying, “While fintech once dominated the landscape, this year’s pitch competition applications reveal an inspiring wave of innovation in agriculture and sustainability. Founders are increasingly prioritizing impact-driven solutions that can reshape Kenya’s entrepreneurial narrative.”

On November 28, the top 10 startups will have the opportunity to pitch live on stage in Nairobi, giving them a platform to present their groundbreaking ideas to investors, experts, and Latitude59 partners. To prepare, each team will receive personalized pitch coaching from Latitude59’s pitch trainer, Gleb Maltsev, ensuring they’re ready to make the most of this opportunity.

One standout startup from this Kenya-based competition is expected to receive a fast-track invitation to Latitude59 2025’s pre-finals in Tallinn, Estonia, with travel expenses covered by the organization.

The prestigious competition in Tallinn has offered a EUR 1 M (USD 1.05 M) prize pool for two consecutive years, providing emerging companies with an extraordinary opportunity to gain international exposure and attract funding.

The Latitude59 Kenya Edition has garnered support from leading tech partners, each offering unique resources to the competing startups. Infobip has contributed $20,000 in service credits, Adoptomedia is offering a go-to-market workshop, and Cloudplexo is providing $200,000 in AWS credits.

Spiff Moses, Cloudplexo’s Head of Marketing, expressed enthusiasm for supporting the competition, stating, “The innovation, resilience, and global ambition of these startups inspire us to invest in their success. Supporting the Latitude59 Pitch Competition aligns with our mission to foster innovation by equipping startups with the tools and resources needed to succeed.”

Here are the 10 selected startups, which exemplify the creativity and determination driving Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

1. 🇳🇬 AcemyX – An LMS platform designed for personalized student learning.
2. 🇹🇿 Afya Mama – Provides maternal and reproductive health information through SMS and web apps.
3. 🇰🇪 Eco Nasi – Creates vegan leather from pineapple pulp, offering a durable alternative to animal leather.
4. 🇰🇪 Grekkon Limited – Develops moisture sensors for efficient irrigation in smallholder farms.
5. 🇰🇪 NoMa – Digitizes school transportation systems.
6. 🇺🇸 Paycloud Africa – A Neobank that provides MSMEs in Africa with payment and credit access.
7. 🇰🇪 Roadrims – Delivers logistics solutions that address various supply chain needs.
8. 🇰🇪 Twiva – A social commerce platform that helps brands reach markets via influencer marketing.
9. 🇰🇪 VunaPay – Offers instant payments to farmers upon produce delivery.
10. 🇰🇪 Zerobionic – Develops a robotic arm designed to assist students with hearing impairments in Kenyan high schools.

These startups are now preparing to take the main stage in Nairobi, and one will secure a spot to showcase in Estonia. As Latitude59’s reputation grows, the competition is fast becoming a launchpad for African startups aiming to make a global impact.