Kenya's HustleSasa bags Ksh.3.7M in NBA Africa startup programme

Kenyan event services e-commerce platform HustleSasa is among four prize-winning startup businesses from the ‘NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator,’ launched by NBA Africa in April 2024 to support the continent’s technology ecosystem and the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Start-up accelerators, or seed accelerators, are fixed-term, cohort-based mentorship programmes that provide guidance, support and limited funding in exchange for equity. They usually end in a public pitch event or demo day.

HustleSasa secured third place among the four startups, earning a cash prize of USD 30,000 (approx. Ksh.3.7 million).

The other startups are Festival Coins (Nigeria), Salubata (Nigeria) and UBR VR (Egypt).

Festival Coins, an event technology company offering a customizable, no-code event registration and ticketing platform, took home the first place prize of USD 50,000 (approx. Ksh.6.5 million).

Salubata, a company that creates modular shoes repurposed from plastic waste, won the second-place prize of USD 40,000 (approx. Ksh.5.2 million).

UBR VR (Egypt), known for delivering state-of-the-art, fully immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences, secured the fourth-place prize of USD 20,000 (approx. Ksh.2.6 million).

The startups were among 10 finalists shortlisted from more than 700 early-stage African startup businesses that applied to participate, pitched their products to a panel of international industry leaders at a Demo Day at the NBA headquarters in New York City on Wednesday.

The six other finalists received USD 10,000 (around Ksh.1.3 million) each.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum announced the winners, highlighting that the startups will be awarded financial support and mentorship, including an opportunity to participate in workshops and development programmes facilitated by NBA Africa or its partners.

“Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented entrepreneurs who participated in this year’s program, with special recognition to the 10 finalists and four distinguished winners,” NBA Africa CEO Clare added.

“These outstanding companies have demonstrated the creativity, drive and determination to shape the future of sport in Africa and will help the continent take its rightful place on the world stage.  We look forward to following their successes for many years to come.”

The ‘NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator’ is open to early-stage startups in Africa that develop solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing.