The top 25 tech startups enrolled in the boot camp of the third edition of Hanga Pitchfest are set to pitch their innovative solutions before judges on Friday, November 24.
According to the organisers, five finalists will be selected following the pitches to showcase their solutions at the grand finale, scheduled to take place at Intare Conference Arena on December 8.
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Hanga Pitch Fest is the largest tech startup competition in Rwanda. It serves as a unique platform for showcasing the innovative spirit of tech entrepreneurs and creative talents from across the nation, with the aim of championing the use of technology and innovation in the Rwandan market.
The roster of the 25 startups engaged in the boot camp comprises Agrinet Rwanda Ltd, Agrithink Tank, Bountiful Farmers, Care Connect, Dope Initiatives, Farmoja, Green Transport, Groupeya, Hinia Ltd, Hova AI, Innovahyper Technologies, Irebe Biotech Ltd, Jenga Mo Ltd, Kivu Health Ltd, Loopa Ltd, Medixr, Opina Ltd, Payws, Quarks Group, Smart Class Ltd, Smart Ikigega Ltd, TUZAride, Umurava Ltd, Urungano Initiative, and Wad Ltd.
They provide a range of solutions spanning various sectors, including agriculture, education, human resources, health, finance, mobility, transport, construction, and real estate.
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The third edition of Hanga Pitchfest was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
This year’s boot camp, held in partnership with Co-Creation Hub, kicked off on November 13 and is set to conclude on November 24. It is being hosted at DesignLab in Kacyiru, Gasabo District.
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According to Serge Priam Nsanzineza, the Innovation Ecosystem Analyst at RDB who is overseeing the coordination of the boot camp, its purpose is to provide all of the top innovators with an equal opportunity to gain essential business knowledge.
"During this programme, participants delve into topics such as market access strategies, preparing for investments, and mastering the art of pitching their ideas,” he explained.
He said that it also provides an opportunity for startup representatives to refine their pitches before presenting them to the judges.
Jean-Hubert Nkurayija Ishimwe, the founder of Hinia Ltd, the startup behind an app dedicated to imparting practical financial literacy to children, is one of the participants in the boot camp.
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He said its past 10 days have proven productive, equipping him and fellow participants with essential skills to refine their solutions and enhance their pitching abilities.
"We have been learning to analyse our businesses in terms of defining properly the problem we are solving and assessing if our solutions are relevant,” he continued. "We also learned how to prepare a perfect pitch deck, especially for investors.”
Nkurayija further highlighted that he has explored methods for evaluating the profitability of his business, ensuring they are well-prepared for potential investments.
He added that the participants engage in one-on-one sessions with experts and participate in team-based learning experiences.
Mary Bakamurera, representing TUZAride, a driver-hailing platform, is also a participant.
She said she has acquired a profound understanding of the importance of fine-tuning ideas for her business, along with insights into client interactions, market approaches, and preparation strategies.
"I’ve learned how to communicate my business better,” she emphasised. "So I'm ready to convince the judges that this is the right business to invest their $50,000 in.”
Bakamurera further underscored the collaborative environment of the boot camp, emphasising how it facilitated knowledge exchange among innovators, allowing them to learn from one another and share insights.
In addition to the upcoming finale, Hanga Pitchfest 2023 will feature the Hanga Corporate and Public Innovation Awards, the Hanga Sexual and Reproductive Health Track, and the Hanga Innovation Exhibition.