Pangea is a Norway-based startup accelerator whose purpose of life is to create a pipeline that ensures access to investment for African startups. The accelerator launched its trade in the country back in January this year and we already have a few startups enjoying the fruits of this tree.
The African chapter of the accelerator that was headquartered at Strathmore University through a partnership with the university’s @iLabAfrica recently closed its 3-month milestone-oriented acceleration program that saw over 40 startups take part.
The culmination of the program, which was dubbed Pangea Demo Day, saw three Kenyan startups close investments with the accelerator beating their counterparts from Nigeria and Egypt.
Pangea’s Chief Investment Officer, Chisom Udeze, stated, “It has been an inspiring journey for us. We could never have imagined the vibrance, dynamism and sheer guts that these startups have.” The accelerator’s CEO, Jonas Tesfu, said that “This is just the beginning of the journey for us. We’re working on creating other opportunities for the startups we haven’t invested in.”
The winners, Biasharabot – a social media management system and customer service chatbot, Onesha – a digital marketplace for with over 700 creatives and Tozzaplus – a cloud-based accounting & payroll system not only received monetary investment but will also receive 12 months follow-up mentorship alongside other participants of the acceleration program. During the follow-up, the startups will get access to the Pangea advisory board within marketing, strategy, business planning, investor introductions and much more.
Onesha CEO, Bernard Momanyi Nyagaka, noted “The Pangea experience couldn’t have ended better. Onesha comes out more energized, refreshed and ready to face the exciting journey ahead, equipped with insights from the program.”
Pangea’s CEO, Jonas Tesfu, concluded, ‘Our ambition is to use our network to help the startups grow even though the accelerator has finished. Pangea has a large network within the investor community and look to help more startups receive funding.
