Add Row
Add Element
Add Element
  • Channel
    • VIRTUAL EVENTS BILLBOARD
    • CONFERENCES & CONVENTIONS
  • Featured
    • THE VORTEX VISIONARY VIEW
    • African Changemakers
    • Future of Africa
    • Sustainable Africa
    • Women Vortex
    • Vortex Global Pulse
    • Habitat Trails
    • InterContinental Issues
    • Intracontinental Currents
    • #FUTURE FEATURE INVITATION
August 16.2025
2 Minutes Read

Antler Launches 24 Founders for Nigeria's Inaugural Startup Accelerator

Group of young adults in Africa wearing matching shirts, smiling for the camera.

The Birth of Africa's Next Tech Giants

Antler, a renowned global investment network, just launched its first cohort in Nigeria, inviting 24 exceptional founders into an innovative accelerator program. Set in Lagos, a bustling hub for startups, Antler is on a mission to ignite the next wave of African startups by not just investing in existing businesses but helping to create them from scratch.

Pioneers of Innovation in a Competitive Landscape

With over 7,500 applications, the selection process was highly competitive, resulting in less than 1% acceptance. The chosen founders have real-world experiences in critical sectors like fintech, AI, food security, and edtech. As Lola Masha from Antler pointed out, these individuals don’t just talk about African challenges; they've lived them, bringing practical solutions and a sharp edge to execution.

The Accelerator Experience: From Ideas to Investments

The Antler program runs for eight intense weeks, where participants are molded into strong candidates for investment. Founders are encouraged to develop their ideas, form teams based on compatible strengths, and chase down market traction. By the program's conclusion, standout participants may receive an investment of up to $100,000, firmly setting them on the path to success.

A Thriving Ecosystem for Future Business

Choosing Lagos as the starting point for this initiative is not a coincidence. With Nigeria emerging as the largest economy in Africa and its startup scene exploding, the city acts as a testing ground for many entrepreneurs. Having 73% of Nigeria’s startups concentrated in Lagos underscores the city's potential as a tech powerhouse. Antler aims to eliminate common barriers faced by startups, enabling founders to navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses more efficiently.

Why This Matters to the Future of African Tech

This venture aligns with broader African tech trends, where innovative solutions are being developed with local contexts in mind, enhancing their scalability on a global scale. As Anil Atmaramani emphasizes, building profitable and mature businesses at such early stages is a promising precedent for the African tech landscape.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the future of work in Africa should watch closely as these 24 founders embark on their journey. Innovations rooted in the continent’s realities could be the key to unlocking transformative changes.

Tech & AI Disruptors

1 Views

0 Comments

Write A Comment

*
*
Related Posts All Posts

Join the Bitcoin Revolution: Africa Bitcoin Corporation Aims to Raise $210 Million

Update The Dawn of Africa's Bitcoin Revolution In a groundbreaking move, South Africa's Altvest Capital Limited is set to raise $210 million to establish Africa's first publicly listed Bitcoin treasury fund. This strategic pivot, marked by a name change to Africa Bitcoin Corporation (ABC), aims to provide institutional investors such as pension funds and private equity firms with regulated access to Bitcoin. By leveraging the transparency and legitimacy of public markets, ABC intends to empower African investors to participate in the booming cryptocurrency landscape without the complexities of direct custody. Bridging Financial Gaps with Bitcoin The company's founders, led by CEO Warren Wheatley, believe that Bitcoin serves as a revolutionary solution to Africa's financial challenges. With rising inflation and weak currencies threatening purchasing power, traditional assets like US Treasury bills provide yields that fall short against Africa's average inflation rate. In contrast, Bitcoin's impressive average annual returns of about 30% over the past decade position it as a preferred asset for preserving value. A New Approach to Investment ABC's model is reminiscent of successful strategies employed by firms like MicroStrategy. By issuing shares that translate directly into Bitcoin holdings, ABC offers a regulated avenue for individuals and organizations to invest. As stated by Wheatley, "Our goal is to ensure that every investor, from a school teacher saving for retirement to multinational corporations, can access Bitcoin's potential for wealth preservation without the burden of self-management.” This innovative framework presents a promising opportunity for African tech entrepreneurs and startups looking to leverage digital assets and related technologies for growth. Expectations and the Path Ahead As Africa Bitcoin Corporation positions itself within the global financial system, it plans to expand its listings to include more African stock exchanges in countries like Namibia, Botswana, and Kenya. Stakeholders are excited to see how this initiative can stimulate the continent’s tech economy amidst the burgeoning trends in fintech and blockchain. Rallying Support Across Borders By pursuing a diverse investor base that includes both African and international participants, ABC aims to galvanize dormant capital within the continent, which the South African Reserve Bank estimates at approximately $104 billion. This influx of investment could not only bolster the tech sector but also inspire a new wave of innovation in smart cities and digital transformation. The sheer scale of this initiative reflects Africa's readiness to embrace the future of finance. As ABC endeavors to demonstrate the viability of a Bitcoin treasury model, it could also pave the way for other companies across Africa to follow suit. We are witnessing not just the emergence of a new asset class but a fundamental shift that could redefine financial landscapes across borders. A Call to Join the Change For investors and innovators intrigued by the potential of digital assets, Africa Bitcoin Corporation is igniting the sparks of a financial revolution where possibilities are limitless. Are you ready to be part of this transformation?

Kolomoni's Snap and Pay: A Giant Leap for Digital Banking in Africa

Update Revolutionizing Personal Banking in Africa In an age where convenience is key, Kolomoni is stepping up its game with the introduction of two new features designed to streamline personal banking: Snap and Pay and Schedule Payment. As the African fintech landscape continues to evolve, these innovations represent crucial steps in enhancing user experience and addressing the challenges faced by everyday banking customers. What Are Snap and Pay & Schedule Payment? The Snap and Pay feature allows users to take a photo of an account number, utilizing optical character recognition (OCR) technology to extract the necessary details automatically. This function significantly reduces transaction errors and speeds up the payment process, making financial interactions more efficient. It eliminates cumbersome manual entry, which can often lead to mistakes, especially for less tech-savvy users. Meanwhile, the Schedule Payment feature automates recurring transactions such as bills, subscriptions, and family support. This not only ensures timely payments but alleviates the stress of remembering various due dates—a common issue that many face. Bridging the Digital Divide Kolomoni, a subsidiary of CapitalSage Technology, operates across Nigeria and The Gambia, striving to promote financial inclusion through accessible digital banking solutions. According to Simbiat Kazeem, Head of Personal Banking at Kolomoni, "Our mission is to simplify finance for our users, and these features reflect our commitment to innovative solutions that save time and reduce errors.” This aligns with the broader trend of digital transformation in Africa, empowering users and enabling them to focus on what truly matters in their lives. Why It Matters for Investors and Entrepreneurs For tech entrepreneurs and investors, Kolomoni's advancements underscore the growing significance of fintech solutions in Africa. The introduction of features like Snap and Pay not only caters to the evolving needs of users but also positions Kolomoni as a frontrunner in a competitive fintech market where user-friendliness is paramount. As more users transition to digital banking, the potential for growth in the sector increases. This opens up opportunities for investments in fintech solutions that facilitate automation and enhance user experience—key aspects that will shape the future of financial services in the continent. Become Part of the Digital Banking Revolution Kolomoni Personal Banking is readily available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, allowing users to harness these automation features anywhere and anytime. These advancements are not just improvements but are essential steps towards a fully digital banking ecosystem in Africa. As Africa embraces these digital innovations, stay informed and be a part of this evolving landscape by following Kolomoni's journey. Let's continue to empower communities and redefine financial interactions across the continent.

How Businessfront's Layoffs Reflect Wider Trends in African Media Restructuring

Update The Impact of Businessfront's Layoffs on African Media Businessfront, the parent entity of Techpoint Africa and several other publications, has recently announced staff layoffs as part of a restructuring effort aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability. Despite the changes, the CEO Múyìwá Mátùlúkò reassured that all brands will remain operational. This situation mirrors a broader trend affecting the African media landscape, where companies struggle with decreasing advertising revenues. Why Media Companies Are Restructuring The decline in advertising spend has driven many media firms to reconsider their operational strategies. Research indicates that economic downturns and the rise of digital platforms are reshaping audience engagement, as more readers turn to social media for news. This shift is detrimental, particularly for niche publications that rely heavily on traditional monetization methods. Learnings from Other Media Layoffs Businessfront's decision is not an isolated incident. In 2023, Big Cabal Media experienced a significant cut of 19% from its workforce, highlighting that increased revenue does not always equate to financial stability. Similarly, the challenges faced by National Media Group and Standard Group serve as stark reminders of the precarious state of media in Africa. Future Predictions: A Path Ahead for African Media? To counteract declining traffic and income, companies are diversifying their revenue streams. Innovations in event hosting, newsletters, and enhanced direct reader relationships are becoming essential for survival. As Businessfront explores new avenues for engagement, the success of these strategies may prove vital in shaping the future of content delivery and providing readers with richer experiences. Conclusion: Resilience Amidst Change While the layoffs at Businessfront could be alarming, they also signal a heartfelt re-evaluation of existing practices. Media companies can pivot towards a sustainable model by embracing innovative revenue channels and improving their relationship with audiences. Africa's rapid adoption of technology, including AI and blockchain, provides a unique opportunity for transformation within the media sector.

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Core Modal Title

Sorry, no results found

You Might Find These Articles Interesting

T
Please Check Your Email
We Will Be Following Up Shortly
*
*
*