Ampersand, founded by Josh Whale, is Africa’s first electric transport energy company, and it has just raised US$19.5 million in funding, with which the company aims to deliver thousands more electric motorcycles in the coming months. The venture capital round was led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) and is joined by Acumen and Hard Edged Hope Fund. In addition, the fast-growing company secured a US$ 7.5 million debt facility from Cygnum Capital’s Africa Go Green Fund. This round also includes a successful S.A.F.E. round with investors such as Alphamundi VC, Societe Petrolieres du Rwanda, TotalEnergies, EIF and Beyond Capital Ventures…
Author: Admin
Bayo Omoboriowo (Founder, Mad House by tikera) In a bid to support creative founders and startups in addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, Bayo Omoboriowo (personal photographer to former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari) has conceived the Mad House by tikera – an incubator, accelerator and research institute dedicated to empowering creativity-led ventures and transforming their ideas into tangible products and industries. Mad House by tikera is currently running the Lens-Based Incubation Programme (LensBIP), with a chance to win up to USD$10,000 in seed funding. The Lens-Based Incubation Programme was established to develop the art of crafting creative ideas and converting them into…
Tosin Oshinowo (Founder, Oshinowo Studios) It has been a brilliant 2023 for Ọshinówò Studio (a top architectural firm in Lagos offering international architecture, architectural design and build, studio design), celebrating 10 years in business, and including a name change from CmDesign Atelier to Ọshinówò Studio. Lantern House, ADIDAS flagship in Lagos 🎥@tosinoshinowo Led by founder, Tosin Oshinowo, the Studio completed the Lantern House, ADIDAS flagship in Lagos, while Tosin herself curated the second Sharjah Architecture Triennial in the UAE. In 2024, Ọshinówò Studio look forward to completing its projects for Goethe Institut and UNDP in Lagos, as well as…
Toluwani Precious Ogunbiyi SDG and sustainable food systems advocate, Global Youth Ambassador, and AgTech enthusiast, Toluwani Precious Ogunbiyi, has just thrown up an extremely innovative project for scrutiny. She says: “Can you imagine making paint from cow dung? 🎨🐄💩” The following video outlines the outstanding benefits of this latest eco-friendly innovation, already in use across India, from construction sites to cosmetics. 🎥 via Toluwani Precious Ogunbiyi Ms. Ogunbiyi’s lucid line of thinking goes like this: “First thing that excited me about this innovation is the fact that it offers an extra source of income for farmers! Most times, cow ding…
The Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award – has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions. Submissions will be accepted until June 23, 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Noteworthy, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million…
“That’s a wrap! What an incredible year it’s been! 🌟”, says Theo-Lee Houston, recipient of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, which provides cash awards — without giving up equity in return — and hands-on support to help Black entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Theo is Founder at Slinger, and shared his thoughts and major takeaways on the recently-concluded accelerator programme: “We’re thrilled to be part of the prestigious Google for Startups Black Founders Fund program, an absolute honour to be part of a cohort radiating with black excellence! 🖤 “A heartfelt thank you to the phenomenal Google teams for…
Adeola Alli (Founder, One Health) The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) – a Pan-African pitch contest for early-stage technology startups seeking to ramp up traction and growth – is thrilled to bring even more excitement to early-stage entrepreneurs with startups based in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa. In the fifth iteration of this prestigious competition, tech founders stand a chance to win the coveted USD 50,000 in equity, gain global recognition, and become part of MEST Africa’s lifelong supportive community. The top five finalists for the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge are: Letaji (Kenya): Revolutionizing the construction industry, Letaji is an online marketplace streamlining the…
Chef Moyosore Odunfa (Founder, Àtiję experience) 📸 @moyo_rb Moyosore Odunfa (Chef Moyo) is head Chef at, and founder of The Àtiję Experience (Àtiję is a Yoruba word for ‘how we eat’). Based in Lagos-Nigeria, Àtiję serves multi-course Nigerian fine dining that offers not just an immersive culinary experience, but also proudly pushes the diversity and delectability of Nigerian cuisine to the forefront. 🎥a@tijeexperience Says Chef Moyo: “Our menus are fluid, based on seasonality so that we can offer you our interpretation of local cuisine at its best. We believe that Nigerian food tells deep, interwoven stories that teach us about who…
🎥 UBA Group/ RedMEdia Tony Elumelu (Chairman, United Bank for Africa – UBA) and his wife, Dr. Awele Elumelu certainly set the tone for a memorable Christmas during the UBA Denim & Diamond Rave season party – held on December 17, 2023, in Lagos-Nigeria.
Oluwatoyin Olaseinde (Founder, Money Africa & Ladda) 📸Oluwatosin Olaseinde Fintech leader and founder, Money Africa & Ladda, Oluwatosin Olaseinde recently turned 35, and shared these clear-cut money lessons from what she referred to as “my 35 years on earth”: 1️⃣ You are your biggest asset. Start treating yourself like a prime real estate.2️⃣ Everything starts in your mind. Personal finance is 80% mindset and 20% knowledge. Get your mind in the right atmosphere3️⃣You will lose money. The secret to financial independence is to win more than you lose. Don’t let your fear of losing hold you back4️⃣ Personal finance is…