Twice in a year, Y Combinator's latest batch of startups present to a specially invited subset of a larger network of investors.
Between today, March 20th and Wednesday, March 22nd, Y Combinator will be holding the Winter 2017 Demo Day to showcase the selected startups that participated in its first of 2 three-month funding cycles this year.
So, as we anticipate Y Combinator's Demo Day, we can confirm that 5 Nigerian startups will be participating.
In no particular order, the startups are;
Kudi: Kudi is a chatbot that helps users with their finances by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simulate everyday conversation. With further support from Y Combinator, the startup looks to boost expansion plans to Kenya and Ghana.
Aella Credit: Through its proprietary algorithm that allows instant money lending, this FinTech startup has made it their mission to disrupt the money lending business in Nigeria. So it is no surprise it got the attention of Y Combinator.
Aella Credit was recently in the spotlight for being the first African startup to present at Lendit -- the largest lending conference in the world.
Kangpe: Since launching in July 2015, Kangpe has been striving to "put a doctor in the pocket of every Nigerian" by connecting patients with verified doctors via SMS, mobile app and web 24 hours a day.
With a presence in Nigeria Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda, the startup is looking to spread across French-speaking African countries.
Tizeti: Considering the internet connectivity problem in Nigeria and Africa, Tizeti's proposition is quite simple -- build more towers such that internet service can be offered at relatively cheaper prices for consumers in urban cities.
The internet is the future, with the IoT era fast upon us. Y Combinator may just have found a perfect investment in Tizeti, being a major internet service provider.
Buypower: Buypower is a startup that allows consumer purchase a specific unit of electricity conveniently from their devices. It is no news that electricity remains a problem in Nigeria and Y Combinator may just have made a good investment with this one.
One other startup from West Africa that will be showcased to the Y Combinator's network of investors during the Demo Day is Tress, from Ghana -- making up 6 representatives from West Africa..
The Winter batch 2017 program ran from January through March, while the Summer batch 2017 will run from June through August. Applications for the Summer 2017 Demo Day will open in June later this year. So interested startups will do well to be on the look out.
