The African startup ecosystem had a moderate pace of events last week which featured only five funding deals. Of the five deals, the details of two involving Viebeg Medical and Carry1st were kept under wraps. Elsewhere, OfferZen raised $4.3m, Roboost secured $3m while South African Athena received $150,000 to expand health financing solutions in South Africa.
Funding
Viebeg Medical
Funding round: Undisclosed
Investors: J&J Impact Ventures, Sanofi Global Health Unit Impact Fund
Founded: 2018, Rwanda
Founders: Tobias Reiter, Alex Musyoka
Products: Viebeg Medical is a leading medical supplies and equipment provider with an innovative data-driven procurement solution called VieProcure. This platform addresses critical supply chain challenges in the healthcare sector by facilitating the efficient distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
What Next? : The capital infusion is expected to buoy Viebeg Medical’s efforts in its mission to enhance healthcare accessibility in East Africa.
OfferZen
Funding round: $4.3 Million
Investors: Invenfin, AI Capital
Founded: 2015, South Africa
Founders: Philip Joubert
Products: OfferZen operates a job marketplace for developers. As a prominent player in the tech hiring sector, it facilitates connections between actively job-seeking developers and companies in Africa
What Next? : Offerzen is set to release new features on its job marketplace to better connect developers to the companies they specifically desire to work with in addition to improving its newly released subscription model for companies.
Roboost
Funding round: $3 Million
Investors: Silicon Badia, RZM Investment, Flat6Labs, Saudi Angel Investors.
Founded: 2020, Egypt
Founders: Mohamed Gessraha, Hassan Gessraha
Products: Roboost operates a delivery management Software as a Service (SaaS) solution and AI operations copilot, designed to streamline home delivery operations for major brands
What Next? : Fuelled by the capital infusion, Roboost aims to extend its operations across the entire MENA region’s delivery market. In addition, the startup plans to utilize the investment to broaden its scope, not only in delivery operations but also by expanding its e-commerce and middle-mile offerings through tailored automated solutions.
Carry1st
Funding round: Undisclosed
Investors: Sony Innovation Fund
Founded: 2018, South Africa
Founders: Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Hoffman
Products: Carry1st, an Africa-focused game publisher and digital commerce platform. The company operates at the intersection of gaming, web 3 and fintech and uses its platform to promote gaming content
What Next? : This strategic collaboration is expected to elevate Carry1st’s presence in the gaming industry and also contribute to the overall development and expansion of Africa’s entertainment landscape.
Athena
Funding round: $150,000
Investors: Founders Factory Africa
Founded: 2022, South Africa
Founders: Jabulani Nyembe
Products: Athena provides healthcare financing which enables patients to pay for medical procedures in interest-free installments spread over 3 -6 months.
What Next? : Fuelled by the funding, the healthcare financier seeks to provide more affordable health options for individuals to access private healthcare in South Africa and beyond
Opportunities
Call For Applications: Accelerate Africa Cohort 2
SAIS Female Founder Award 2024 for Female Business Owners in Africa
Injini/Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2024
WFP Innovation Stability and Peace Accelerator Program 2024 for startups and Innovators
