On-demand delivery platform Glovo has announced the winners of its tech startup pitch competition in Kenya. Glovo in partnership with Esade Business School, Ashoka Africa and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched the competition back in March targeting early-stage tech startups that are delivering value to SMEs.
The aim of the competition was to help accelerate the progress and enable success of viable SME focused startup businesses thereby improving the operating and business environment, efficiency levels and chances of success of SMEs.
The competition was made up of two stages. The first stage was through an online submission of written applications which closed on March 31st 2022. A number of local startups submitted their applications across various sectors of the economy out of which 8 finalists were shortlisted to move on to the next phase – the live pitch in front of a panel of judges that was held at the Capital Club Nairobi
Bernard Njathi, CEO and Patrick Ndeda, Co-founder of Lofte Kesho were the 1st prize winners, Lofte Kesho is an Agritech and fintech start up empowering smallholder livestock famers to unlock capital against their livestock. They will receive a Mini Business Accelerator package through an all-expenses-paid trip to visit Barcelona, Southern Europe’s leading tech hub. This will include meeting with top Glovo executives to receive feedback and tips on their business as well as discuss any business opportunities and challenges.
They will go through sessions at the Esade Business School Campus with experts from the ESADE Entrepreneurship Institute and the eWorks Accelerator program to have a review of the business plan and discuss with them the roadmap and go-to-market plan. They will also receive Fast-Track Access to the Summer 2022 edition of the eWorks Accelerator program, which provides access to mentors, exclusive perks and tools and a final demo day with international investors (fully remote program) as well as pro bono consulting session with BCG Kenya to help develop their business idea.
The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive virtual sessions with Glovo top executives to hear about Glovo’s journey and to help brainstorm on opportunities and challenges, Fast-Track Access to the Summer 2022 edition of the eWorks Accelerator program, and pro bono consulting session with BCG Kenya.
Speaking during the event, Priscilla Muhiu, General Manager at Glovo said: “We are excited to be part of helping accelerate SMEs in the country on their digitalization journey. We at Glovo recognise the needs of SMEs as a critical part of the community and are committed to helping build the Kenyan ecosystem for digital services.”
Glovo Kenya says the pitch competition was in line with its values and its continued commitment to supporting SMEs. The company currently supports over 4000 SMEs in Kenya alone.
Follow us on Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to info@techtrendske.co.ke.
