The Demo Day 2023 was a huge success!

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24 Jun 2023

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On June 22nd, 2023, the Kigali Convention Centre was buzzing with excitement as hundreds of attendees gathered for the Demo Day 2023 of the Africa Blockchain Incubation Program. The event was a showcase of innovation and excellence as seven startups pitched their solutions to a panel of judges and an audience of investors, regulators, vendors, media representatives, and other key players in the ecosystem.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Esther Kunda, who praised the efforts of ABI and the startups for driving technological advancement and entrepreneurship in Rwanda and across Africa. She also reiterated the government’s support for innovation and emerging technologies as key drivers of economic growth and social development.

Next up was Kayode Babarinde, who gave an overview of ABI’s vision and mission as well as its achievements so far. He highlighted some of the success stories from previous cohorts of the incubation program as well as some of the challenges faced along the way. He also thanked all the partners and sponsors who made the program possible.

The panel discussion on “Building blockchain and 4IR capacity and skills in Africa” followed shortly after. The panelists shared their insights and experiences on how to equip African innovators with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They also discussed the opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology in various sectors and domains. The discussion was lively and engaging, with questions and comments from the audience.

Event Highlight:

The highlight of the event was the pitch session, where the seven startups took the stage to present their solutions. The startups were:

Tswaanda Africa: A blockchain-based platform that connects farmers and buyers in a transparent and efficient way, enabling fair trade and traceability of agricultural products.
Crunch Network: A blockchain-based platform that enables users to create, manage, and monetize their own decentralized social networks, empowering them to own their data and content.
Konnadex Technologies: A blockchain-based platform that provides digital identity and verification services for individuals and businesses, enhancing trust and security in online transactions.
Pharmalink: A blockchain-based platform that connects patients, doctors, pharmacies, and insurers in a seamless and secure way, improving access and affordability of healthcare services.
EduBlock: A blockchain-based platform that provides digital certificates and credentials for learners and educators, enhancing the quality and credibility of education.
AgriChain: A blockchain-based platform that provides smart contracts and supply chain management solutions for the agribusiness sector, improving efficiency and profitability.
PayBee: A blockchain-based platform that provides peer-to-peer payment solutions for the unbanked and underbanked population, enabling financial inclusion and empowerment.

The judges were impressed by the quality and diversity of the solutions as well as the passion and professionalism of the startups. They asked probing questions and gave constructive feedback to help the startups improve their products and pitches. The audience was also captivated by the presentations and showed their support and enthusiasm through applause and cheers.

After a short break, the judges announced the winners of the Demo Day 2023. The winners were:

First place: Pharmalink
Second place: Tswaanda Africa
Third place: Konnadex Technologies

The winners received cash prizes as well as access to further mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities from ABI and its partners. They also received recognition and exposure from the media and the ecosystem.

The event concluded with a networking session, where attendees had the chance to mingle with the startups, mentors, partners, judges, and other participants. The atmosphere was festive and friendly, with smiles and congratulations all around.

The Demo Day 2023 was a remarkable event that showcased the talent and potential of Africa’s blockchain startups. It also demonstrated the impact and value of ABI’s incubation program as well as its commitment to fostering an ecosystem that supports and nurtures innovation on the continent. The event was a milestone for ABI and its partners as well as a catalyst for further growth and collaboration in the blockchain space.

Final Words:

As a blockchain crypto enthusiast, I am thrilled and inspired by the Demo Day 2023 and the amazing solutions presented by the startups. I believe that blockchain technology is not only a game-changer for Africa, but also for the world. Blockchain technology has the potential to create a more transparent, fair, and inclusive society, where people can control their own data, assets, and identities. Blockchain technology can also enable new forms of collaboration, innovation, and value creation across borders and sectors.

I am optimistic that the future of blockchain is bright and that Africa will play a leading role in shaping it. I am proud to be part of this community and to support the vision and mission of ABI and its partners. I am also eager to learn more about blockchain technology and to contribute to its development and adoption.

I encourage everyone who is interested in blockchain technology to join this movement and to explore the opportunities and challenges that it offers. Whether you are a developer, an entrepreneur, an investor, a regulator, or a user, you have a role to play in advancing blockchain technology and making a positive impact on the world.

Thank you for reading this blog post and for being part of this journey. Let’s keep in touch and stay tuned for more exciting news and events from ABI and the blockchain ecosystem. Together, we can make history!🙌