The annual competition, now in its eighth edition, received a large number of startup applications from over 70 countries. Startup solutions were categorized into four focus areas that correspond to current pain points in the construction value chain: Green Construction (sustainability), Enhanced Productivity (efficiency), Construction Supply Chain (timeliness), and Future of Construction (disruption).

The most promising startup solutions from each focus area were named Construction Startup Competition 2024’s champions: GScan [Estonia], Kaya AI [US], KRAAFT [France], MIXTERESTING GmbH [Austria], Raise Robotics [US], revitalyze [Austria], Sodex Innovations GmbH [Austria] and Trunk Tools [US].

The eight aforementioned winners will advance to the competition’s final milestone, Pitch Day 2024, and present their solutions to executive representatives from the competition’s partner companies, industry investors and potential business partners at Trimble Dimensions User Conference on November 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three startups with the best pitches will receive cash prizes, be named the gold, silver and bronze medalists, and continue to be evaluated for potential partnership opportunities with the host companies.

Over the last eight years, Construction Startup Competition has been a launching pad for more than 3,500 startups to network, validate their solutions through pilots and deployment projects, gain industry recognition, and facilitate fundraising with the mission to advance innovation in construction and promote the adoption of startup technologies.

The competition is supported by Cemex Ventures, Caterpillar, Dysruptek by Haskell, Ferrovial, Hilti, Leonard by VINCI, NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Trimble and Zacua Ventures.

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MBRIF, in collaboration with EBRD hosted a comprehensive schedule of activities at the event to enable attendees to connect with both entities, explore their programs and gain knowledge and information on a variety of topics. The activities also offered the opportunity to meet some of the region’s most talented innovators and take part in a series of insightful sessions related to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance and MBRIF representative, said: “Expand North Star is a unique platform in the region, shaping the future of the digital economy by championing entrepreneurship in the UAE and advancing discussions on the evolution of the innovation landscape. We are always keen to support events and initiatives that contribute to strengthening the UAE’s position as a global center of excellence in innovation, and to engage with our industry peers from the UAE, the region and beyond in our common vision of leveraging technology to propel economic development and expansion.”

The event program put together by MBRIF and EBRD featured panel discussions with industry experts on the opportunities available to innovative start-ups in sectors such as health, tech and space, as well as on expansion into the UAE market and exploration of the collaborative innovation ecosystem in the UAE. Other topics included empowering women in entrepreneurship and future sustainability trends. Alongside the panel discussions, MBRIF and EBRD held info sessions on alternative funding sources and legal considerations for start-ups in the UAE, as well as an introduction to EBRD’s Star Venture program.

MBRIF offers innovators support through its two flagship programs; the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator and the Guarantee Scheme. Whilst EBRD’s Star Venture program targets promising start-ups through accelerators and consultants to help them achieve their full potential.

Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Managing Director, SME Finance & Development at the EBRD, said: “At the EBRD, we are committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship that drives sustainable economic growth. Our Star Venture programme plays a pivotal role in empowering high-potential startups with tailored support, mentorship, and market access to help them scale and transform industries. The collaboration with the MBRIF at Expand North Star 2024 further amplifies our shared vision of fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems. It inspires Star Venture companies to seize new opportunities, and I’m thrilled to see that over 35 of our startups are present this week to explore the UAE’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.”

Under the pavilion of the MBRIF at Expand North Star, an impressive lineup of innovative companies showcased their cutting-edge solutions across various industries. These included Hoopla, an app for mental wellness; CrossVal, a fintech system for GCC companies; Reme-D, a medical technology innovator; BigDot, an AI-driven business optimization platform; Duverse, a smart city and urban tech provider; Nadeera Technologies LTD and Oxytech.io, both leaders in environmental technology; Sulmi, an AI-powered business solutions platform; jalebi.io, a business automation tool; and Verofax, offering blockchain-based supply chain solutions. Together, they represented the forefront of innovation, contributing to the UAE’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Moreover, more than 35 innovative companies from EBRD’s Star Venture programme showcased their solutions, including Investbanq (Kazakhstan), which expanded into the UAE in 2024, securing its first client by offering AI-driven WealthTech solutions for asset managers and banks. Similarly, BANTgo (Estonia), operating within the UAE’s ecosystem, launched its waste management platform in 2024 with pilot projects supported by local partners like Cartlow and Verofax, furthering its impact in responsible waste management using AI and blockchain.

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These two skilled individuals, who began as local embroidery artists in the humble suburbs of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, have transformed into tech-enabled entrepreneurs through the training and support provided by Ba-Ikhtiar program. The PTCL group selected them for the event to help them gain invaluable exposure and explore new business opportunities at one of the most important business and tech platforms in the world.

Marrium and Farhat showcased their eye-catching embroidery products at the Pakistan Enclosure, where they also engaged with international visitors, shared their inspiring success story and received recognition for their incredible journeys. Their participation in Expand North Star reflects PTCL Group’s continued support for the program’s graduates, which is essential for the sustainability of their enterprises.

Speaking about their experience, Marrium Hussain said, “I am deeply grateful to PTCL Group for providing us with this opportunity. The experience of being a part of such an important global platform has been life-changing and we look forward to newer avenues of growth for our enterprises. We met different people, gained exposure, and received appreciation for our work, encouraging us to dream bigger.”

Ba-Ikhtiar is a women empowerment initiative launched by PTCL Group in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). It aims to equip small-scale female entrepreneurs with essential digital tools and skills to grow their enterprises. Participants receive smartphones with pre-loaded SIM cards from PTCL Group. They also receive hands-on training in digital skills, including using UPaisa mobile wallets and managing seller accounts on the e-commerce platform Daraz. The 15-day workshop enhances their artisan skills and imparts digital marketing techniques to help them expand their market to the global online space.

The program also includes financial management training from U Microfinance Bank, empowering participants to manage their business finances efficiently. PTCL & Ufone 4G provided them with handsets and mobile connectivity to cover their data and voice needs.

So far two batches of women entrepreneurs have graduated from the Ba-Ikhtiar Program, who now use their smartphones and free data to sell products through Daraz, receive payments via UPaisa, and dispatch orders through courier services. Their success stories inspire other women to pursue digital entrepreneurship to transform their socio-economic condition.

Sharing his thoughts, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G said, “Ba-Ikhtiar program mirrors our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and leveraging our digital resources to empower underserved social segments. The initiative enables women to become financially independent and facilitates their participation in Pakistan’s growing digital economy. It lays a strong foundation for a sustainable future by ensuring that women play an active role in improving the country’s socio-economic progress. I am immensely proud of these young entrepreneurs, who has shown resilience and commitment to be the future business leaders.”

The PTCL Group exhibit was a key feature of the Pakistan enclosure at Expand North Star. It received immense footfall, with Marrium and Farhat’s story of their evolution from local artisans to digital entrepreneurs on the back of digital and financial technology inspiring profuse commendation.

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The SBWC booth is proving to be a hub for networking, allowing attendees — including investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs — to engage directly with the eight selected startups. This initiative, while enhancing visibility for these women-led ventures is also facilitating meaningful connections that can lead to partnerships and funding opportunities.

Among the eight startups featured are Al Rawi for Creative Content, which focuses on using emerging technologies for event management and AI research; Heuristic World, an EdTech company transforming the teaching of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence through a game-based learning platform; Itifaq, a legal tech startup automating legal research with AI; and Jawdaman, a mobile app that analyses food and cosmetic product compositions.

In the health tech sector, KosAI leverages AI to support chronic disease patients in managing their health appointments effectively; Luga AI stands out with its multimodal multilingual Arabic AI agent that enhances accessibility across various industries; The Soulhouette merges AI and traditional medicine to create wearable technology aimed at improving health outcomes for at-risk patients; and finally, Tapy addresses pressing global challenges with its Aman Watch — a device designed for individuals of determination that enables remote caregiving.

Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, expressed her pride in the organisation’s participation at Expand North Star 2024, stating, “We stand at the forefront of an exciting chapter where women are representing themselves as leaders in technology and innovation. Through our dedicated booth and as the proud official sponsor of the ‘Women in Tech’ track, we were able to showcase the incredible talent and creativity of our members, and I am immensely proud of the eight startups representing us this year.”

Helping women in tech overcome funding challenges
A key highlight of SBWC’s participation this year is organising the Women in Tech Forum which featured an information-packed panel discussion titled “Access to Capital: Overcoming Funding Challenges for Women in Tech.” This panel hosted an impressive lineup of experts, including SBWC Advisory Council member Dr. Muna Al Dhabbah, founder of the “Hala Jari” app; Alena Yudina, founder of the EmTech metaverse; Alina Polyakova, founder of the Femtech startup Mamahood app; Ceylan Uren, co-founder of The Waste Lab; and Maria Ivanova, co-founder and CMO of Gingo Partners.

The discussion provided the audience with experienced and insightful perspectives on topics such as initial journeys and access to funding, building and leveraging networks, effective fundraising strategies, and alternative sources of funding and innovation, proving to be an invaluable resource during the global event.

Supporting innovative ideas and female-led startups
SBWC’s partnership with the event’s ‘Supernova Challenge 2.0’ further amplifies its commitment to supporting innovative ideas and startups. Notably, two startups from SBWC have qualified for the competition, with winners set to be announced on the final day of Expand North Star. Recognised as the largest startup pitch competition in the MENA region, the Supernova Challenge celebrates groundbreaking innovations that prioritise sustainability and social impact, serving as a launchpad for numerous aspiring businesses in past editions.

The challenge features an impressive total prize pool of $200,000, including a dedicated prize of $10,000 for the ‘Women in Tech’ category, proudly sponsored by SBWC. This track aims to elevate female entrepreneurs while also reinforcing SBWC’s ongoing commitment to empowering women in non-traditional sectors like technology and AI.

SBWC continues to pave the way for women entrepreneurs in technology and innovation, and by providing invaluable resources and opportunities for exposure at such significant events, it is able to empower individual startups while contributing to a more inclusive future within the global business community.

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The event will take place during GISEC GLOBAL 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8 May 2025, introducing unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and investment. As cybersecurity threats escalate globally, GISEC North Star is designed to foster an ecosystem of innovation and resilience by connecting global minds in cybersecurity technology, venture capital, and enterprise solutions.

Revolutionising Cybersecurity Innovation & Investment
As an anchor of GISEC Global, GISEC North Star will serve as a premier platform where disruptive startups can showcase their innovations, connect with leading global investors, and engage with key industry leaders across various sectors. The event will feature cutting-edge showcases, live demos, and panel discussions with top minds in cybersecurity technology and business.

“We are thrilled to expand GISEC’s role in the global cybersecurity ecosystem through our partnership with Expand North Star. GISEC North Star is committed to bringing together the brightest minds in cybersecurity, empowering startups with unparalleled access to the resources, networks, and investments they need to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape,” said Nawaz Ali, Commercial Director at GISEC Global.

Connecting the Global Cybersecurity Community
GISEC North Star’s expansive setup is designed to attract the best cybersecurity talent from across the globe, uniting startups, investors, and visitors to collaboratively tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges. With participants from over 160 countries, the event will foster diverse and impactful exchanges that shape the future of global cybersecurity.

A One-Stop Hub for Cybersecurity Startups and Investors
Designed to promote collaboration and growth, GISEC North Star is set to showcase breakthrough innovations that address critical challenges in cybersecurity, ranging from AI-driven threat detection to secure data management solutions. Investors will have an unprecedented opportunity to connect with and support promising startups driving advancements that safeguard the future.

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“The global Mobile App industry has been experiencing exponential growth, with the number of Apps covering all sorts of consumer needs expanding by the day. As the competition in this space grows, we held the first ever TikTok Apps Summit, bringing together pioneering figures from the industry, shedding light on global growth opportunities, and providing a space for them to collaborate, share expertise and learn about some the best examples of successful growth strategies,” commented Shadi Kandil, General Manager, Global Business Solutions, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central and South Asia, TikTok.

Apps’ user behavior is changing
An insightful deep dive into industry intelligence with Sensor Tower, an enterprise focusing on insights and analytics for Mobile Apps globally, showed:

• Users are becoming more selective and are close to finding sweet spots of apps that are worth their time and money. Data shows that over the last 5 years, there’s been a deceleration in app installs (only 5% CAGR), while spending on apps keeps growing year on year by 27% CAGR.
• Apps need to diversify their monetization strategy across subscriptions and one-time purchases: getting a download or a conversion is not the end of the road. Apps can maximize ARPU (Average revenue per user) by retargeting their users with add-ons and enriching their in-app experience.
• Adding AI features to an app leads to an immediate spike of 12% increase in revenue.

Community performance
On TikTok, content is curated based on what communities find entertaining. TikTok community has a diverse range of interests and a high level of engagement, which encourages them to contribute and join conversations – and brands can use this perfect blend for their benefit.

Communities play a significant role in driving stronger adoption, by adapting to the authentic behaviors of people living in a highly-informed and interconnected digital world. They seamlessly tackle the phases of the decision journey, but more importantly, the in-between phases.

1. Firstly, between awareness and consideration, communities provide social proof: an app is only worth my time and money if it’s worth other people’s time and money. Doubling social proof leads to double the downloads.
2. As users learn about the app’s selling proposition, and before they actually convert, communities help them understand how the app fits their lifestyle and needs: an app earns its slot on my home screen if it earns its slot in my daily life. Data shows that creator collaborations lead to an increase in purchases by 3.5 times.
3. Finally, what TikTok has shown time and again, is the ability of its communities to turn apps into sensations through orchestrated virality: an app deserves my advocacy only if it’s part of a larger conversation. Leveraging content engagement and virality can lead to a 2.5x increase in revenue.

Community performance, that TikTok uniquely offers, significantly impacts results across the conversion funnel. TikTok shared cases of brands who unlocked the influence of communities and how they were able to increase conversion rate by 41%, decrease customer acquisition cost by 18% and boost overall quality lead-generation by +22%. The more brands deploy and leverage the communities, the bigger their addressable audience and the more cost effective and efficient their strategy is.

Symphony: TikTok’s AI-powered creative solutions
During the event TikTok gave an update on its recently introduced range of creative product suite called Symphony, which helps businesses of all sizes, creators and agencies blend human imagination with AI-powered efficiency to scale content development, creativity, and productivity on TikTok. Now apps companies can maximize their return on creative: with ideation, script generation, avatar video generation and dubbing to 10+ languages and dialects, Symphony Studio drives efficiencies across the entire production process, while ensuring videos are TikTok-optimized.

Apps going global: geographical expansion on TikTok
TikTok works closely with app businesses to find opportunities and create strategies not only to capitalise their initial markets, but to expand globally. The platform helps businesses understand which markets show the best potential for them, learn consumers’ needs and preferences to better inform the strategy, localise their app creatives to resonate with consumers and, finally, apply best practices in order to drive tangible results. The approach to a successful geographical expansion strategy on TikTok consists of 4 steps:

1. Identifying the markets that work best for the brand,
2. Understanding everything about the relevant TikTok communities in the targeted countries: from digital shopping habits ,
3. Localising creative assets,
4. Optimising performance by testing new audiences, refreshing creatives and adapting offerings.

Success story
One of the great examples of capitalising on the platform’s opportunities is the campaign by Careem Quick, a widely popular superapp from the MENA region. The brand used TikTok to boost its grocery segment discovery and conversion, measure the effectiveness of its performance campaign and increase cross-selling with current user base. They utilised a TikTok Measurement Marketing Partner to build customized user lists, as well as used audience split tests to measure lift in discovery and first orders. As a result, the app discoveries increased by almost 6% on iOS and by 25% on Android, whilst first orders on iOS increased by 15%.

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Taking place September 3-5 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre, the landmark debut of 24 Fintech aims to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global fintech leader. The event will be hosted by the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Capital Market Authority (CMA), Insurance Authority (IA), and is co-organised by Fintech Saudi and Tahaluf, a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund.

With less than six weeks until the debut event, several high-level speakers are confirmed to discuss trending themes influencing the industry. H.E Mohammed Al Jadaan, Chairman of Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), has been confirmed as a speaker at 24 Fintech.

Throughout the three-day summit, attendees will hear from high-ranking government officials, including H.E Mohammed ElKuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority; H.E Abdulaziz AlBoug, Chairman of the Insurance Authority; H.E Eng. Naij Al-Faisal Al-Tamimi, CEO, Insurance Authority; H.E Yazeed Alnafjan, Deputy Governor of Financial Innovation at the Saudi Central Bank; Yazeed AlDemaigi, Deputy of Strategy, Research & International Affairs, Capital Market Authority; and Nezar AlHaidar,  CEO of Fintech Saudi.

Expected to attract over 26,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, and 200 investors, 24 Fintech will feature 175 hours of expert-led content, positioning itself as one of the world’s leading fintech conferences. Key topics include Governance, Risk and Policy, Cybersecurity, Global Interoperability, and Innovation in Payments.

24 Fintech will feature four stages hosting an array of keynotes, panel discussions, and industry announcements exploring investment opportunities, startups, technology, and academia.

The Futures Forum Stage will be a hub for academic and interactive discussions on blue-sky thinking, while the Fintech Fusion Stage will converge investment and innovation, providing a platform for founders and investors to share experiences. The 24° Trends Stage will explore the latest trends and technologies reshaping finance.

Elsewhere, Startup Zone is a dynamic space for networking, pitching sessions, competitions, and demo showcases that will run parallel to the Investor Program – a venue for unearthing opportunities and making connections with visionary entrepreneurs.

“Fintech Saudi is thrilled to co-organise 24 Fintech, a pivotal event aimed at cementing Saudi Arabia’s position at the forefront of global financial services discussions. 24 Fintech is an important milestone in advancing the Saudi fintech industry and is consistent with our vision to position the Kingdom as a leading global Fintech hub,” said Nezar Alhaidar, CEO, Fintech Saudi.

A major driving force in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil and digital-first economy, the fintech sector now accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all venture investments into the Kingdom, explained Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President of Tahaluf.

“This growth is propelled by the country’s youthful, tech-savvy population and a very pro-innovation government. With nearly two-thirds of the population under the age of 30, the Kingdom is an ideal location for a week-long celebration of innovation designed to enhance access to financial services, generate sector-wide investment, and showcase the breakthrough products and services primed to upend the sector in the near future. We are confident this event will spotlight the future of finance and act as an incubator for fintech entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.”

24 Fintech is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which positions the industry as a crucial element in achieving economic transformation. The exhibition has attracted key finance players who are supporting the Vision goals.

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Applicants must apply on the Sheraa website: https://www.startups.sheraa.ae  before September 5, 2024.

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment have collaborated with Sheraa to design the 2024 edition of ASC. The prestigious initiative also benefits from the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate.

Eligibility, mentorship & product development opportunities and a huge cash prize
To be shortlisted, applicants must present practical, implementable solutions and a ready-to-use model and commit to establishing their company. The top 10 shortlisted ideas will undergo intensive training to refine their concepts into viable projects.

ASC 2024 aims to invite and support startups during their critical growth phase, offering innovative solutions contributing to long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Additionally, entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and guidance to transform their creative ideas into successful, sustainable businesses.

Winners will be selected by a jury and announced. The prize purse of AED 500,000 will be split evenly between winners of the two tracks.

ASC 2024 is part of a larger goal of becoming a global food security leader
Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, highlighted ASC 2024’s role in providing startups and entrepreneurs worldwide with a platform to showcase their innovative solutions, contributing to positive change and fostering innovation in the emirate. She affirmed the challenge’s alignment with Sharjah’s vision to support the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, aiming to position the country as a global leader in innovation-based food security.

She said: “This year’s challenge demonstrates Sheraa’s commitment to establishing Sharjah as a leading regional and global hub in AgriTech and livestock health. By leveraging modern technology, we aim to enhance agricultural production, achieve self-sufficiency, and address water scarcity resulting from climate change and population growth. This advances sustainable development on economic, social, and environmental fronts.”

For his part, Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah, said ASC aims to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the agricultural and livestock sector. It focuses on developing sustainable strategies to advance the ecosystem, adapt to climate change, and enhance food security by implementing best practices, studies, and innovative technologies, aligning with the national food security strategy and reducing carbon emissions.

He added that Sharjah’s experience in the sector is unparalleled, having made significant efforts to make it resilient. This includes adopting smart and sustainable agricultural practices, using modern technologies to increase wheat production while reducing water usage by 30%, and conducting research at the Mleiha Farm’s biotechnology laboratories. These efforts led to the development of the ‘Sharjah-1’ wheat strain, which is more climate-resilient, water-efficient, highly productive, and nutritionally rich. These achievements earned the Mleiha wheat farm the Future Fit Seal, recognising it as a leading project supporting food security.

AgriTech
The AgriTech track invites innovators to present their visions and establish startups in Sharjah that offer practical solutions, such as sustainable irrigation methods, desalination innovations, and sustainable practices with minimal environmental impact. This track reflects Sheraa’s dedication to addressing water scarcity, which poses a significant threat to regional and global security.

Livestock
The livestock health track provides entrepreneurs opportunities to develop or expand startups specialising in livestock health. This includes monitoring systems, preventive technologies, innovative health solutions, and streamlined treatment processes to ensure livestock sustainability and disease-free conditions. This track aims to enhance Sharjah biosecurity system and support sustainable development in livestock farming by supporting entrepreneurs and innovative projects, in addition to encouraging businesses to participate in sustainable development.

A roadmap to drive sustainable innovation in Sharjah and the UAE
Sheraa introduces two pioneering tracks aimed at fostering innovation in Sharjah’s agricultural and livestock sectors. The AgriTech track focuses on solutions like sustainable irrigation and desalination methods, addressing critical water scarcity issues. Meanwhile, the Livestock track supports startups enhancing livestock health through advanced monitoring and treatment technologies, bolstering biosecurity and sustainability. Winners stand to gain significant benefits, including AED 500,000 in grants, tailored business support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and extensive media coverage, solidifying Sheraa’s commitment to sustainable development and entrepreneurship in the region.

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Of the 11,949 entries, Southern Africa accounted for 28%, the highest among the five regions (Northern, Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern Africa). This year, Southern Africa led for the first time, with a 65% increase in entries compared to last year, proving to be the most competitive region.

The following five countries are represented among the Southern regional winners: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Angola.

Key Southern African highlights for 2024 include:

• The top three categories are: Fintech, Greentech and Healthtech
• New pioneering technologies coming to the market in the Greentech and Healthtech categories.
• Of the 14 Southern Africa winners South Africa leads with 10 finalists, followed by winners from Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.
• The top SDGs the startups are solving for are SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Startup development phases: ideation (1.7%), pre-seed (33%), seed (31%), growth (32.3%), and maturity and exit (2%)

The 14 Southern African winners were announced and celebrated yesterday [Thursday 18th of July] in Cape Town at UVU Africa our country partner. To view visit here.

“How exciting it is to witness the vibrancy of Africa’s tech scene through the Global Startup Awards. It is a special honour to see that 10 of my fellow South Africans – eight of them from my hometown of Cape Town – are among the 14 winners of this year’s awards. The City of Cape Town proudly supports the development of our local tech scene as evidenced by our funding of UVU Africa, one of the most prolific tech incubators on the continent. Congratulations to every single winner and I look forward to seeing the great things you will continue to do for communities across Africa,” said Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

The Northern, Eastern, Western and Central regional winners were all announced this week and can be viewed here. These exceptional startups, representing 22 African nations, will compete at the regional level, with the African finalists to be crowned in October at the GSA Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – GSA Africa’s host nation for 2024.

A historic public voting turnout saw 215,210 people casting their votes to determine the winners, alongside a panel of expert judges who evaluated the entries. The panel of jury members consists of internationally renowned sector-focused industry leaders, ecosystem enablers, and influential individuals from across Africa in the tech innovation space.

“African entrepreneurs are paving the way for the continent’s future, and this year’s competition has highlighted this brilliantly. The diversity in business ambitions is impressive, and beyond agritech, education, and fintech solutions, sectors like pharmacy, eMobility, and aerospace are starting to play a stronger role. These startups are making significant impacts in their communities, countries, regions, and beyond,” noted Jury member Guido Schwartz, Foundation for Space Development Africa.

Key Trends Noted from the 2024 Global Startup Awards Africa Season:

From an impressive 11,949 entries – a 44% increase since 2023 – spanning 52 African countries, the startups represented various development phases: ideation (3.4%), pre-seed (28.7%), seed (34%), growth (30.6%), and maturity and exit (3.6%). To date, 27,814 startups have participated in GSA Africa.

• Mobility and Logistics: As rural-urban migration intensifies and the population is projected to double by 2050, the demand for reliable and inclusive mobility and logistics solutions is expected to grow significantly. Unsurprisingly entries in this category have risen from 11% in 2023 to 19% in 2024 and include solutions for mass transport as well as digital logistics coordination platforms.
• Green Tech: Since the inaugural GSA Africa in 2021, solutions aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action) have tripled. This category saw a 14% representation in entries, with 77% of the Greentech startups planning to join the carbon market within the next 12-24 months. Winning startups include the Global South’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company,
• Agriculture: Accounting for 15% of total entries, this category showcased innovations like micro-financing and AI solutions for smallholder farmers, alongside a startup revolutionizing the biomaterials industry by harnessing the power of bioengineering to convert agricultural waste into sustainable, carbon-neutral polymers
• Health Tech: With 12% of entries, this category saw significant growth in telehealth solutions, pharmaceutical supply chain innovations, last-mile delivery solutions, and specialized health prevention technologies. 70% of the health tech entries fall into digital health, AI, and machine learning, with medical devices and mental health technologies comprising the rest.“

The health sector innovations were truly inspiring. The applicants showcased groundbreaking solutions with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in the region. It was encouraging to witness the convergence of technology and healthcare, paving the way for improved health outcomes and sustainable development,” noted Jury member Farai Chirongoma, UNDP.

• Fintech: Representing 27% of all entries, this year saw a diverse range of fintech solutions including digital currencies, digital-only banks, banking-as-a-service (BaaS), payments, ecommerce, and automation. For the first time, the competition has fintech finalists from Sudan and Morocco and a unique commerce solution for a mobile world.
• Youth: Featuring 10% of entries from founders under 26, this demographic’s entrepreneurial spirit fosters the growth of new industries and sectors, thereby mitigating economic vulnerability through economic diversification. Winning solutions include the first electronically financed trade platform for medical consumables and supplies, a community mobilization initiative promoting holistic health, innovation, and self-reliance, a technology startup focused on sustainable drone production and automation and a gamified English learning platform aimed at improving children’s reading literacy across Africa.
• Women in Tech: This category saw a 34% increase in entries since 2023, celebrating solutions and initiatives dedicated to closing the gender gap and empowering women to embrace technology.

Loop, Startup of the Year, SA Regional winner

The winners then progress to the global stage to present their groundbreaking innovations in 2025.

Kim Balle, Co-Founder of The Global Startup Awards, shares: “Startups from the African Startup Awards have shown tremendous development, solving problems with solutions applicable beyond Africa. The startup world is transitioning, with decreasing entry barriers to knowledge, capital, and technology mastery. African startups are now technically advanced and built to scale, especially in sectors addressing global issues. I am confident we will see unicorns among the GSA Africa alumni winners soon.”

Regional winners will have the opportunity to engage with the GIIG Africa Fund, known for balancing tech innovation’s commercial success with social impact. By investing in profitable and socially responsible solutions, GIIG ensures startups contribute to broader societal benefits.

“GIIG’s long-term vision is to create sustainable businesses with a positive impact, fostering innovation-driven economies and positioning Africa as a leader in addressing global challenges through innovative solutions,” remarked Jo Griffiths, co-founder of GIIG and GSA Africa. “We nurture interconnected communities through trust, expertise, and networks, promoting cross-border collaboration and market access to drive systemic transformation and sustainable development across the continent”.

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The Arab SME Summit represents a leading interactive platform for entrepreneurs across the Arab region. The summit’s first and second editions attracted over 2,000 participants, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of media entities as well as regional and international organizations with a focus on sustainable development. The summit familiarizes participants with leading business models in Arab markets, sheds light on inspiring success stories, and facilitates collaboration and joint action to promote investment opportunities and collaboration among Arab policymakers and experts.

The summit’s upcoming edition is expected to attract more than 1,300 participants from various countries and industries, inspiring entrepreneurs across the region to excel. The summit’s agenda features various events that bring together decision and policymakers to discuss empowering SMEs and fostering the Arab world’s entrepreneurship environment to advance sustainable development. Discussions will focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital era, including digital business transformation, technological innovation, and regional cooperation to strengthen the digital economy.

Abdulrahman Hesham Al Sowaidi, QDB CEO, said the bank’s new partnership with ESCWA reflects its commitment to pioneering action and collaboration to bolster Qatar’s economy and support the development of the local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“We are proud that Doha is hosting the third Arab SME Summit after Amman and Marrakesh hosted the previous two editions. We are pleased that the event will take place within the framework of the 10th edition of ‘Rowad’ Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference 2024, which makes this year’s edition the largest of its kind to date. We believe such events are key to support Arab economies and empower leading entrepreneurs across the region. At Qatar Development Bank, we remain committed to spearheading leading initiatives to support SMEs and foster their contribution to sustainable economic growth.”

Rola Dashti, ESCWA’s Executive Secretary, said the commission is pleased to partner with Qatar Development Bank, a leading Arab entity when it comes to supporting women entrepreneurs and SMEs. “We are confident that this partnership will open new horizons to promote entrepreneurship across the region. We look forward to working together to promote innovation, create jobs, and stimulate inclusive economic growth.”

“The Arab SME Summit is distinguished by the participation of an elite group of innovators, entrepreneurs, SMEs, policy makers and leaders from various industries and Arab countries. Holding the summit within the framework of the Rowad Conference is considered an exceptional opportunity to organize an unprecedented edition in terms of participants, partners and investors in the Arab entrepreneurship ecosystem,” she added.

QDB’s collaboration with ESCWA aims to support SMEs through knowledge exchange and capacity building, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

This year marks a new milestone in the Rowad Conference journey, which kicked off locally before expanding regionally to Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Last year’s event hosted the third edition of the GCC Entrepreneurship Forum and the Rowad GCC Hackathon, the first of its kind in the region, along with the fourth edition of the Rowad Awards that celebrate Qatari firms with outstanding performance.

The ‘Rowad’ Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference aims to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs in Qatar, empower startups and SMEs and bolster their growth opportunities. As is the case every year, the conference will bring together leading players from Qatar’s entrepreneurship ecosystem along with their regional peers for the opportunity to exchange knowledge and share valuable insights on investment prospects across the Arab world.

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