Three African startups have been selected to take part in the upcoming F-LANE accelerator programme.
F-LANE is a tech startup accelerator programme for tech ventures which focuses on female empowerment.
It gives high-potential ventures, particularly women-owned startups, across the world the chance to learn from experts in entrepreneurship education.
The female-focused programme was set-up by the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications has at its core, promoting gender equality in the tech industry and encouraging the participation of women in tech development.
The three startups chosen will join 6 others, who emerged finalists in the acceleration programme directed towards sharpening business and impact models, and getting startups ready for investment.
The programme connects startups led by women, and for the benefits of women, with funding and mentorship.
On this year’s edition, nine startups are picked to participate in the programme. According to the board, each selected team will receive a stipend.
In addition, the Vodafone Institute will introduce them to personal mentors as well as potential business partners and investors.
Three of the selected African companies F-LANE accelerator programme include Uganda’s Zoora, a fintech platform; Kenya’s Bidhaa Sasa, a finance and last-mile distribution company and Rwanda’s Hive Online another active fintech player.
Zoora
This digital platform allows members of VSLAs (Village Savings and Loan Association) access to training, a safe record-keeping tool and agricultural inputs.
This platform educates women on how to self-tutor using mobile phones equipping them with skills as well as helping them store their data for easy accessibility of loans from financial institutions.
Bidhaa Sasa
This is a Kenyan based start-up in Bungoma County. It distributes and finances goods to rural households offering services to under-served communities to improve quality of life for rural families.
Hive Online
Also active in Sweden and Denmark, Hive Online is a distributed community finance platform that enables financially excluded entrepreneurs, that is, rural women in Africa, to gain access to credit and new markets.
Built with blockchain technology, their solution yields a financial trust history based on facts and business actions.
Other selected startups for the F-LANE accelerator programme are from Chile, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Featured Image: vodafone.de
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