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MyAfricanStartup 100

Welcome to MyAfricanStartup, where the heart of startup culture beats. Our passion for entrepreneurship drives us to unearth the nuggets that have proven themselves in the field. Come and meet Africa's most promising startups, a must-attend event for startup enthusiasts, investors and future entrepreneurs.

Every year, new rising stars emerge in a variety of sectors, bringing exciting innovations, cutting-edge technologies and revolutionary business models. Our rigorous selection for 2023 highlights startups that are or have been arousing the curiosity of venture capital professionals, offering an exceptional opportunity for discovery to all startup enthusiasts, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Disclaimer: Africa, a vast continent, sees the birth and growth of many promising startups every year. As a result, we can't cover them all. The startups we present below are not listed in order of preference, but presented in alphabetical order for informed exploration.

MyAfricanStartup 100

Welcome to MyAfricanStartup, where the heart of startup culture beats. Our passion for entrepreneurship drives us to unearth the nuggets that have proven themselves in the field. Come and meet Africa's most promising startups, a must-attend event for startup enthusiasts, investors and future entrepreneurs.

Every year, new rising stars emerge in a variety of sectors, bringing exciting innovations, cutting-edge technologies and revolutionary business models. Our rigorous selection for 2023 highlights startups that are or have been arousing the curiosity of venture capital professionals, offering an exceptional opportunity for discovery to all startup enthusiasts, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Disclaimer: Africa, a vast continent, sees the birth and growth of many promising startups every year. As a result, we can't cover them all. The startups we present below are not listed in order of preference, but presented in alphabetical order for informed exploration.

MyAfricanStartUp 100 : Methodology & selection criteria

Under the supervision of MyAfricanStartUp’s founder, HEC Junior Conseil has been in charge of recruiting the team, drafting the pre-selection of innovative startups and writing the 100 company descriptions for the selected startups.
Could you explain the process of the study you have conducted for MyAfricanStartUp
Regarding its scale and international dimension this study has been a real challenge for HEC Junior Conseil. No less than eight students with a strong interest for Africa have worked on it during eight months. Our first task was to create a data base of qualified startups and submit it to the judging panel. The latter selected 100 of them after what we had to find and contact suitable persons in order to gather some piece of information thanks to a questionnaire. Lastly, thanks to the collected data, we redacted and formatted the 100 company descriptions in both languages: French & English.
What criteria did you & myAfricanStartUp chose for this selection?
First of all we decided on purpose to draw a representative selection of the continent. Thus and except for a few exceptions, the selected companies are based in a wide range of african countries and cash in less than 1M € turnover. Although we have not reviewed any business plan we commit ourselves to asses the relevance of the offer brought up regarding to the targeted market to that extent the companies displayed in this booklet are innovative in several fields: Fintech, Telecom, Biotech & health, Edtech, services, Agribusiness, Cleantech …

Type of company: We have focused exclusively on start-ups that have achieved proof of concept in the field (mainly seed, if not series A). Mostly recent start-ups that have already attracted their first business angels or investors. But most of them have sales of less than USD 5 million.

Breakdown
  • Geographical and linguistic area: no more than 70% of startups from English-speaking countries
  • Gender: over 30% of startups founded or co-founded by women!  
  • Sector: no more than 30% Fintech
Could you expand on the selection process applied by your team?
Our approach is not a call for applications but a designation based on the information collected.

Phase 1: Company research. More than 2,500 companies across the continent.  Analysis of databases and interviews with various players in the start-up ecosystem in Africa.  

Phase 2: Pre-selection: 300 companies are selected mainly on the basis of their innovation.

Phase 3: Final selection. The jury selects 1 company out of 3 with a view to geographical diversity, gender equity and sectoral diversity.
What was the point of the questionnaire sent to certain entrepreneurs?
Inspired from the questionnaire of ingressing to the HEC startups incubator, it provided the opportunity to benchmark the startups according to the BizEval © evaluation model. This model allows to get a synoptic overview of a company according to four main criteria:
- The offer brought up by the startup and its targeted market
- The activity and competitive advantages of the startup
- Economic and financial statement of the startup
- The management style and human resources management of the startup

If there is any hesitation between several startups, we can use a questionnaire to compare certain startups and submit a quality selection to the jury. The jury can therefore use a questionnaire to decide whether or not to accept a start-up in the selection.
How are these African startups monitored and supported after their inclusion in the ranking?
After their inclusion in the ranking, we continue to keep a close eye on certain startups and their development. To this end, we include a special section entitled "What's become of them" in subsequent editions of the ranking. This section gives an account of the evolution of their business since their inclusion in the initial ranking. We present the latest developments, noteworthy successes, partnerships established, any fund-raising activities carried out, and any other relevant information that illustrates the startups' trajectory. Our aim is to maintain an ongoing follow-up and highlight the successes and advances of the promising companies we have identified, offering our readers a perspective on their journey and impact in the entrepreneurial world.
Are there any testimonials or feedback from these startups or their founders?
Absolutely, and we strongly encourage the entrepreneurs on our list to share their experiences and enriching testimonials. To this end, we're putting together a series of videos specially dedicated to these entrepreneurs and their companies. These videos enable the founders and key members of these startups to express themselves freely, sharing their entrepreneurial journey, the challenges they have overcome, their successes, and the lessons they have learned from their experience. These video testimonials offer a unique perspective on the realities of the startup world, and serve as a source of inspiration for other budding or working entrepreneurs. They also help to strengthen the link between the companies on the list, our audience and the wider entrepreneurial community, creating a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
What opportunities or advantages can this recognition bring for the African startups featured in the ranking?
Inclusion in our list of African startups is a unique opportunity for emerging companies. Here are some key benefits:

Increased visibility: Being recognized in our ranking attracts the attention of the media, investors and the general public, broadening your reach.

Enhanced credibility: Inclusion in our list is recognition of your quality, innovation and potential, strengthening your credibility with customers, investors and partners.

Access to investors: Promising start-ups often attract investors. Being on our list facilitates the search for funding, whether from venture capitalists, business angels or investment funds.

Networking: You'll have the opportunity to meet other successful entrepreneurs, mentors and industry experts at events linked to our ranking, helping your business grow.

Partnership opportunities: Being on our list can attract the attention of large corporations seeking partnerships with innovative startups, paving the way for fruitful collaborations.

Growth acceleration: Being listed can boost your growth by attracting new customers, increasing sales and enabling expansion into new markets.

Value proposition validation: Inclusion in our list confirms the strength of your value proposition, reinforcing the confidence of your customers and partners.

Media opportunities: Listed startups are often asked to take part in interviews, articles and media reports, reinforcing their visibility and brand image.

At the end of the day, being included in our startup ranking is a recognition of your exceptional potential and an opportunity to take the next step in your development with confidence. To find out more about these startups or to get in touch with them, explore our list and discover their inspiring stories.

The Team, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and startups in Africa

For the creation and implementation of our 100 startups ranking, we have assembled a dynamic team that embodies diversity and passion.

Passion is our driving force. Every member of our team is deeply invested in our mission to identify, celebrate and support promising African startups. We believe in innovation, entrepreneurship and the positive impact these companies can have on the continent. Excellence is at the heart of our approach. We are determined to deliver quality work, and to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in the world of startups in Africa.
We're proud to be able to showcase these exceptional startups, and look forward to sharing their stories with you.
Christian Kamayou
Christian KAMAYOU
Founder of MyAfricanStartUp
Christian is perfectly qualified to coordinate a team in charge of setting up this annual ranking of African startups. With a strong background in the financial sector, he understands the challenges facing startups in Africa and values visibility for their success. As an entrepreneur, he masters the art of arousing media interest, capturing the attention of investors, and attracting the interest of major corporations. He has in-depth knowledge of innovation and trends in Africa thanks to his constant travels across the continent. In addition, he coordinates a network of young professionals passionate about entrepreneurship in Africa, bringing a very local perspective and dynamic support to this initiative.

Want to get in touch with the team ?hello@myafricanstartup.com