The hunt for the world’s best startup continued in Kigali, Rwanda last week as ten technology startups battled it out to be crowned winner of The Next Web’s global competition Startup World.
Over 100 people gathered for the event held at Lemigo Hotel, with a panel of expert judges including Jack Kayonga, CEO, Banque Rwandaise de Development, Prof. Bruce Krogh, Professor – Rwanda at CMU, Rica Rwigamba, Head of RDB Tourism and Conservation, Patrick Kabagema, Founder Rock Global Consultants and Antoine Sebera CEO, Broadband Systems Corporation.
Together they gave crowdfunding startup Zilencio Creativo the highest score, thereby crowning them the 2012 winner in Rwanda.
Zilencio Creativo ‘s founder Ara Nashera, 25, a first year Economics student at Kigali Independent University (ULK), said he was happy to win the award, which will now see him battle it out in the final heat in Silicon Valley in 2013.
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“I am really excited to win this competition and I thank the judges for understanding our project concept and its value to business start-ups,” said Nashera, who is also the Director of Zilencio Creativo, an innovative branding firm based in Kigali.
Much like their American counterparts, Kickstarter, are Indiegogo; Zilencio Creativio facilitates innovators to upload their projects on its website for funding. The platform enables people to sign up and contribute funds through SMS to support start-ups.
Finalists were picked to pitch at the event from over 100 applicants for Africa and included Hehe Ltd, Campusolve, TorQue , M-AHWIII, Plusgreen Online OSCA Connect, Guhaha, GO, and Binary Logic.
We would like to thank our on the ground partners DOT Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board, Bank Rwandese Development, Jica, KLab, Radio10, Ministry of Youth and ICT, Tele10 and PSF for helping us throw and promote the event and also special thanks to Violette Uwamutara and Grace Mugabekazi of DOT Rwanda.
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