First Pan-African Women In Tech Meetup Happening 2nd August

Press Release

19/07/2014

First Pan-African Women in Tech Meetup

Working in technology can, at times, be an isolating experience for women, especially in Africa. The impact of this can limit women’s professional growth in the sector. Women need mentors, role-models and a network to share their experiences, challenges and skills.

Some Women in Technology clubs exist already, but to date, no-one has attempted to build a pan-African network, allowing us to compare our challenges, learn from other countries and connect across borders to expand our influence.

Therefore, we are pleased to announce the first ever pan-African Women in Tech meet up. This will take the form of a virtual event, supported by simultaneous live viewing events in selected cities: [Kampla, South Africa  and Ghana ] 

We’d like to invite you to join us for a day of learning, food and fun!

When: 2 August 2014, Time :12pm GMT:2pm CAT :3pm EAT - [1 hour]

Register for live stream event or viewing parties at https://womentechafrica.wordpress.com

Speakers:

Wabei Walusiku - Accenture (Zambia) 

Victoria Mbabazi(Uganda) 

Enyonam Kumahor CEO - Thoughtworks Africa ( Ghana) 

Please join us, whether you’re already working in technology or aspire to. Men are welcome if they bring at least one woman with them.

The first Pan-African Women in Tech meet up has been organised by Women in Tech Ghana, Women in Tech Zambia, Women in Tech Uganda, and Girls in ICT Rwanda. 

Planning team:

Ethel Cofie (Ghana) – A tech entrepreneur who is the founder of women in tech Ghana. She runs an IT consultancy and is working on launching accelerator program for tech startups. [ethel@ethelcofie.com]

Ethel (Ella) Mbewe (Zambia) - She is the  Co-founder of AsikanaNetwork,. A motivated, accomplished and versatile IT technician know for Android mobile development, web design.

Akaliza Keza Gara(Rwanda) - She is the founder of Yambi Animation Studios and a member of Girls In ICT Rwanda. She loves open source software, animated films and chocolate milkshakes! She is also the Advisory Council Member for Microsoft 4Afrika.

Barbara Birungi (Uganda) - Social Entrepreneur, ICT4D activist, Zero technological gender balance focused, woman activist mother, consultant .Founder of women in tech Uganda ,Director of hivecolab and board chair of Afrilabs

Chisenga Muyoya (Zambia) - She is an ambitious and highly motivated young woman with experience in the IT industry. Eager to learn and work with emerging technologies and runs women in tech Zambia.

The AMPION Venture Bus (formerly Startup Bus) Scheduled for DEMO Africa 2014!

Press Release
18th July 2014

AMPION Venture Bus Destined for DEMO Africa, Lagos


DEMO Africa is getting even fierier after a confirmation that the AMPION Venture Bus 2014 will land at the venue of the DEMO Africa event in Lagos, Nigeria. The collaboration will see the best start up team that emerges from this bus earning a chance to pitch at the opening session of DEMO Africa 2014.

The AMPION Venture Bus journey to DEMO Africa will begin on 19 September 2014 in Abidjan. Over the next five days Ampioneers will be travelling to Takoradi, Ghana; Lomé, Togo; Accra, Ghana; and Cotonou, Benin before arriving in Lagos on 24 September 2014. The trip is open to all tech designers, developers, mentors and investors and application is ongoing on http://www.ampion.org/#!info1/cfg6. The seats are highly subsidized and are going for as low as US$50.

Commenting on the new collaboration, DEMO Africa’s event director Mbugua Njihia emphasised the importance of joint efforts by various parties in boosting the start-up scene in Africa. “We are all working hard to raise the awareness among stakeholder on the importance of innovations across Africa. Joining hands gives us and even louder voice thus making better our chances to be heard.”

Excited about the move, Fabian Guhl, Managing Director of the Berlin and Harare based AMPION, commented that being able to participate at DEMO Africa is a double win. “We share a lot of the same vision and goals. I am very pleased that our Ampioneers will have the opportunity to access such a high calibre audience, particularly so soon after their awesome trip from Abidjan”

The AMPION Venture Bus will operate in the week preceding the DEMO Africa event ending its journey in Lagos on the 24th September 204. The Ampioners will then join the other participants at DEMO Africa, one of the most successful tech events in Africa,with an estimated US$10 million of investment and business value being raised in previous  iterations of the conference.

As has been witnessed in the previous events, the September event is expected to attract top notch African investors. Participants’ registration is already open on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demo-africa-2014-tickets-10936486325. The secretariat has put together a special package for investor delegates which comprises: 15% discount on a DEMO Africa ticket, 15% discount on a VC4A Pro Account, Access to the companies' financials, Ticket to the Investor Cocktail on DEMO Africa's opening evening, Ticket to a special Investor Boomcamp as well as access to a special Investor Lounge and Deal Room at DEMO Africa. More information on this package can be found at http://vc4afri.ca/h6j8u

DEMO Africa 2014 is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s event is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies.

Top 40 Startups For DEMO Africa 2014 Announced

-- BEGIN --

DEMO Africa has released the names of the forty start-ups that have qualified to launch their product on the DEMO Africa stage in September 2014.Topping the list is Nigeria with a total of 14 start-ups qualifying followed by Kenya, Ghana and Egypt. Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa and Ethiopia will each have two representatives while Tunisia, Benin, Cameroon, Uganda and Zimbabwe have earned their space at the DEMO Africa platform.

More than 400 hundred applications were received but only 242 had met the threshold for the adjudication. Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana recorded the highest number of entries.

Out of 12 categories for application, Communication attracted the highest number of applications with a total of 76 applications received, and it’s no wonder that this category will have the highest number of representation with 14 projects of the final forty being in this category. Finance and banking will also have a good representation of 8 out of 18 entries received. Other categories that will have high representation on the DEMO Africa stage include retail, health and education. Start-ups, however, shied away from Water & Sanitation, and Waste Management & Recycling. No entries were recorded for these two categories, an indication that stakeholder still have to work on entrepreneurs’ confidence to encourage homemade solutions across all sectors.

Commending the African entrepreneurs, the Nigeria Minister for Communication Technology, Honourable Mrs Omobola Johnson, stressed that; “This presents another opportunity for African tech startups. Africa may have missed out on the industrial revolution, but we surely will not in the ICT revolution. Through innovation, we will put Nigeria and Africa in general on the ICT map. Realizing the huge potential of the software industry, we have put in place a set of initiatives that will assist the tech startups to create successful businesses, which will directly create jobs and wealth."

The DEMO Africa Executive Producer Harry Hare, acknowledged the efforts by all the participating start-ups and called upon the investors to support the work of these young entrepreneurs. ”We had really amazing entries this year, but unfortunately the DEMO Africa team can only accommodate forty for now. The high number of entries is inspiring. It only shows that entrepreneurs have risen above the fear of venturing into new waters to create new products. This in itself shows that confidence levels in Africa made solutions are steadily rising. I am confident that we will get to levels where we can generate solutions that can be applied globally.”

VC4Africa Founder, Ben White, observed that the standard of applications continues to rise each year with Victor Okigbo one of the DEMO Africa’s jurists supporting him by commenting that the judges task to shortlist the final forty was not easy.

The application for this year’s DEMO Africa opened in March 2014 closing in June. The applications were then fine combed by a panel comprising top minds in business and tech leaders from across Africa. The criterion for adjudication was the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability.

The selected forty start-ups will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. They will also benefit from one and a half month coaching and mentorship program to be spearheaded by DEMO Africa and the US State Department. The Mentorship program will be coordinated by Dr. Susan Amat, CEO, VentureHive and will include both local and international mentors and coaches.

As has been witnessed in the previous events, the September event is expected to attract top notch African investors. Participants registration is already open on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demo-africa-2014-tickets-10936486325. The secretariat has put together a special package for investor delegates which comprises: 15% discount on a DEMO Africa ticket, 15% discount on a VC4A Pro Account, Access to the companies' financials, Ticket to the Investor Cocktail on DEMO Africa's opening evening, Ticket to a special Investor Boomcamp as well as access to a special Investor Lounge and Deal Room at DEMO Africa. More information on this package can be found at http://vc4afri.ca/h6j8u

DEMO Africa 2014 is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s event is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies.

-- END --

The 40 Startups are:

Shamba Technologies
mergims
Prepclass
SmartPesa
Kitiwa
Cube
LocName
TrafficBytes
Oradian
MyeCampus.net
Nerve
SokoNect
IroFit
NiKweli
MobileJobs (mjobs) powered by SOMTEC
Online Hisab
PieRide
Hutbay
VOTO Mobile
Pliby
Jifunza
SpellAfrica Initiative
ASiM
Feedbackplus
SpacePointe
VIGO
Valuraha Group
Cribpark
Saisai
Chura
matibabu
Paysail
Integrated Medics
.CONNECT FINANCE
MuZik
What’sIn™
Foodstantly
Telecosys
The Pearl Dream Inc
InstaCare

For more information please contact:


Evelyne Wangui | Project and Communication Manager
Office:+254  20  404 1646
Mobile:+254  726 087 451
Email: evelyne.wangui@demo-africa.com

Mr. Yele Okeremi | Chairman, Nigerian Local Organising Committee
Mobile: +234 803 304 1049
Email: yele@thepfs.biz

Mbugua Njihia| DEMO Africa Event Director:Email:mbugua@demo-africa.com 

SHM Foundation Tackles Health at #Hack4Good Hackathon

Hackathons are beginning to be a part of Ghanaian tech culture. Just in the first half of this year, there have been about 3 of them. That's encouraging for a country with a growing tech space like Ghana. I had the opportunity to take part in the #Hack4Good Hackathon at iSpace yesterday organized by SHM Foundation.

The iSpace Innovation Stairs

This hackathon was different in that it brought health professionals who worked with the techies all through the day. I was lucky to have Jacqueline and Kobby as part of my team. The hackathon was aimed a coming up with solutions for the health industry, an industry that can really benefit from techies in Ghana.

The event started at 9am with registrations, chat, and new people meeting each other. by 10am, a lot more people had joined and the room full enough to begin the activities planned out for the day. Josiah, co-founder of iSpace, welcomed all participants, explained the reason behind the hackathon, the rules concerning the cash prize, and wished all teams luck. For this hackathon, 50% of the cash prize would be presented on winning, and the other 50% disbursed when the prototype/MVP with the said features was completed.

Josiah of iSpace welcomes all

After that introduction, there was breakfast for all since most people had left their homes early. Team formation began after that. Team formation was different this time around. Participants numbered to 5 and people with the same numbers fell into the same groups. Later, as and when techies and health professionals arrived, the joined the groups.

The main topics for finding solutions for were as follows:

• Sexual Health
• Mental Health
• Sex Education
• Streamlining Health Policies Using Technology. 

At the end of the day, 3 teams had worked on Sexual Health, 1 on Mental Health, and another on Sex Education.

Lunch time soon came as teams were still discussing and finding practical solutions within the topic areas given. Lunch was well taken care of by the techies. Teams reconvened after that since the reporting time for pitches was 4pm. A few more hours, more prototyping, coding, and validation, time was almost up for the presentations. By 4:30, the presentations had began.

The teams and their ideas are as follows:

1. Mentolibera: A web/SMS application which has a CSO-based approach to adopt and care for mental patients. the organizations pay through mPower Payments and are able to monitor patient's progress online.
2. Colorite: A mobile game that uses photographic memory of players to help them remember sexual health tips, and to find a was to engage the youth and provide useful information to promote healthy sexuality.
3. Mentis: A gamified web/SMS application to help mental patients keep in touch with their doctors, and also provide a way for addicts to reach close people easily when they feel vulnerable.
4. Doctor Doctor: A mobile app that simply connects patients to specialized doctors in and around their current location.
5. Sexual Health: A web/SMS application to help people connect with doctors, and find useful information that have to deal with the very simple but negligible questions about sexuality.

After the pitches and our late snack, the stage was set for the live streaming of the Google I/O Conference Keynote. More guys from the Google Developer Group has come around. Feedback was given to each team, results were announced and Sexual Health was adjudged winners of the Hack4Good Hackathon.

Winner of the #Hack4Good Hackathon: Sexual Health

Honestly, I think the approach taken to this approach was excellent since it brought together both techies and experts. Also, the nature of the disbursement of funds encourages the techies to build the product and not just make prototypes like people have done at previous hackathons.

Congrats to all teams that participated and the organizers!

Judges for DEMO Africa 2014 Announced As Application Deadline Ends

Press Release

The application window for DEMO 2014 has finally closed with the host VC4Africa confirming that 27 African countries are represented this year. VC4Africa Founder Ben White confirmed that Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana have the highest applicants while the areas that have attracted the highest number of applications include; Communication, Retail and Media & Entertainment. “The entrepreneurs who are accepted as applicants should make sure their profiles are brushed up to convince the judges,” he added

The applications will be vetted by an executive panel comprising experts in business and tech. The panel is tasked with the responsibility of shortlisting the best forty from the applications submitted from across the region.

The jurists who have been hand-picked based on their experience and contribution to the start-up scene in Africa include; Dele Akinsade-Nigeria, Stephen Gugu-Kenya, Bob Mbori-Tanzania, Victor Okigbo-Nigeria, Ali Hussein-Kenya, Rebecca Enonchong-Cameroon, Moses Sitati- Kenya, Kevin Schuster-Ghana, Martin Burtler-South Africa, Muchiri Nyaga-Kenya, Lukonga Lindunda-Zambia, Toby Shapshak-South Africa and Richard Tanksley-Ghana

Harry Hare, the DEMO Africa Executive producer, exuded confidence in the group. “The jury is composed of highly experienced individuals and I am positive that they will pick the best by global standards.” Harry added.

Commenting on his role in the jury, Ali Hussein one of the judges from Kenya, expressed optimism in the applicants. “Having been a judge in the previous DEMO Africa, I know there is a tough task ahead. The applications are usually very competitive. It’s not easy to decide who makes it to the final forty. However, our decision will be based on the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability”.

The best forty start-ups will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. Before launching, the startups will undergo a one and a half month coaching and mentorship program organized by DEMO Africa and the US State Department. The program will be coordinated by Dr Susan Amat, CEO, VentureHive and will include both local and international mentors and coaches.

As has been witnessed in the previous events, the September event is expected to attract top notch African investors. Participants registration is already open on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demo-africa-2014-tickets-10936486325. The secretariat has put together a special package for investor delegates which comprises: 15% discount on a DEMO Africa ticket, 15% discount on a VC4A Pro Account, Access to the companies' financials, Ticket to the Investor Cocktail on DEMO Africa's opening evening, Ticket to a special Investor Bootcamp at DEMO Africa as well as access to a special Investor Lounge and Deal Room at DEMO Africa . More information on this package can be found at http://vc4afri.ca/h6j8u

DEMO Africa 2014 is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s event is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies.

For more information please contact:

Mbugua Njihia| Event Director
Office:+254  20  404 1646
Mobile:+254  721 668 709
Email:mbugua@demo-africa.com

Evelyne Wangui | Project and Communication Manager
Office:+254  20  404 1646
Mobile:+254  726 087 451
Email: evelyne.wangui@demo-africa.com

Deadline for DEMO Africa Extended To June 22

June 16th 2014

Press Release

DEMO Africa extends application deadline to June 22

In startup land, getting through the starting blocks usually takes double the time; molding, tweaking, and playing around with ideas before finally having a ready product. Cognizant of this "universal" truth, DEMO Africa is keeping the application window open for one more week from Sunday June 15 to Sunday June 22, 2014.

Harry Hare, executive producer, DEMO Africa, said the extension has been motivated by the need to allow start-ups who have been working hard to meet the application guidelines but had not managed to do so by the initial June 15 deadline.

“From experiences, there is always a last minute rush by start-ups to comply. By extending the deadline, we want to give more time for innovators to ensure that their efforts do not go to  not waste, thereby boosting their confidence which is what we are about,” said Hare.

The VC4Africa founder Ben White supported the move to extend the deadline. He observed that the standards set by the applicants are really high and explained, “It's always thrilling to see how hard entrepreneurs work on their applications and the jury has a tough job ahead of them. That said, many entrepreneurs have asked for more time to put their best foot forward. It's a great opportunity for entrepreneurs on the sidelines to still get their hat in the ring, but they are going to have to move fast”.

VC4Africa is hosting the application window on http://demoafrica2014.com.

This move comes even as curtains fall on DEMO Africa’s innovation tours 2014. The tours which have been concluded in Lagos, Nigeria at the iDEA hub, have seen the DEMO Africa team visiting various countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. This provided an opportunity for the team to meet Africa start-ups and coach on how best to apply for DEMO Africa 2014.

The applications will be looked through by an executive panel comprising experts in business and tech. The panel is tasked with the responsibility of shortlisting the best forty from the hundreds of applications submitted from across the region. The final forty will be based on the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability. Names of the panel members will be released in the first week of July and Harry Hare assured continental representation in the selection panel.

The best forty start-ups will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe.

This history-making event is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. Delegate registration is already open and those wishing to attend can take advantage of the early bird registration here http://bit.ly/1iwGWQb

This year’s event is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (which include Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies.

Ethel Cofie, Ghanaian IT Consultant Selected for President Obama Fellowship

iSpace Foundation is happy to announce Selection of Ethel Cofie  one of its supporters for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Washington Fellowship. iSpace is a space for developers, innovators, entrepreneurs and technology lovers to come together in a shared facility and work together.

The Washington Fellowship is the new flagship program of the President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).  This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States for leadership training, academic coursework, and mentoring, and will create unique opportunities in Africa to put those new skills to practical use .

As part of the Fellowship Ethel  will be  Interacting with President Obama at a Presidential Summit in Washington DC, Participate in an intensive academic and leadership program at YALE University and meet with U.S. government, civic, and business leaders;

Ethel Cofie  is an IT  and Strategy consultant with a passion to  support businesses in their efforts to provide customers with great service/product, provide excellent customer service and make profit by providing excellent and appropriate technology solutions.

Her experience spans a variety of countries including UK, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone and she has worked on projects like the Bill and Melinda Gates Funded Mobile Technology for Health and Ford Foundation funded election-monitoring project for Nigerian Elections.

After resigning her role as Head of Commercial Solutions at Vodafone, She started her own Company Edel Consultancy which is the vehicle for driving her passion (www.edelitconsult.com ).

She also runs monthly Women in Technology Knowledge sharing series an informal networking group focused on education and enhancing women’s careers

One of the tenets of the YALI Fellowship will be to share lessons learnt with all and Ethel will be doing that by sharing her journey on her website www.yali.ethelcofie.com

She will also be sharing videos of the inspiring stories of the other participants on her Youtube channel and promoting Ghana and Ghanaian businesses with her online presence.

To learn more about this, please contact:

Ethel Cofie

ethel@ethelcofie.com

www.ethelcofie.com

We Hanged Out With The Ladies at Women In Tech Night

Quite recently, a lot of discussion has been going on concerning women empowerment in Tech, especially in Ghana. With the exploits of Tech Needs Girls, and very soon, STEMBees, we are sure young girls in Ghana are off to a great start in the sciences thanks to the great support from the community.

Since January this year, the Women In Tech event has been taking place each month bringing together women, and some men, in tech to deliberate on issues relating to women and their contributions to tech in Ghana.

Yesterday's event was its first to be held at the AITI-KACE. The discussion centered on e-commerce in Ghana. The night featured 5 reps from the Rocket Internet powerhouse, AIH. Carmudi, Lamudi, EasyTaxi, Kaymu, and Hello Foods represented the e-commerce community in Ghana. Most of the discussions involved their operations in Ghana, and the lessons they have learnt.

For most of these businesses, the almost-nonexistent presence of Ghanaians online made it difficult for them. Other logistical issues like address systems, etc. all came up.

The presence of Google Ghana Manager was felt as she offered some insights into the listings market with respect to her Google Trader experience. The meeting was streamed live, and can be watched on YouTube, any day.


I think a lot more of such events will be helpful to young women who have plans of going into tech in Ghana. We'll fill you in on subsequent Women In Tech Events to come. To the team behind this initiative, we say Kudos!

Introducing eXchange

I'd begin with a story. It's about the apprentice.

We all know apprenticeship. It's the trusted method of knowledge and skill transfer in the craft industry for a long time if not forever. When a kid wanted to, in the future, practice as a craftsman of whatever sort, they were put under the tutelage of a master of a guild. If the master of the guid accepts them they become his apprentice for a specific period.

During that time, the apprentice has the opportunity of working side by side with the master and learning his skills, techniques, and thought-process so they can become better at the craft. It was not the master's responsibility to ram all those into the apprentice's head. No. The apprentice had to, via observation and participation, learn the art and craft of their master so that when time comes for them to begin their journeyman years, they're good enough to survive. Craft apprentices learn by observation and participation at a master's workshop.

Let me not ramble on. You get it. In so many ways the practice of programming and software engineering is more of an art than a science. It's a craft. And like any other craft, mastery requires paying rapt attention to masters while they delicately create interactivity using just HTML, or as they industriously yet elegantly conjure addictive games out of mere JavaScript. Good software is a masterpiece. And good software is what we only want to build every time. In that case we should be apprentices at some master's guild, right?

We know we should sit by Jeff Dean's loom everyday. Or join Edem Kumodzi at his workshop and understand why he chooses a specific way of solving a problem over your favorite. And diff and learn. If you're lucky to have a master as a workmate, awesome, but not everybody does. So we thought about it.

And we came up with DevCongress eXchange. A remote hangout session with people who have distinguished themselves in programming and software engineering. During the session, we'd have the opportunity to:

1. Get answers to matters of personal growth and development as a programmer
2. Know best practices in programming concerning dealing with people (teammates and clients), tools, deadlines, etc.
3. See a live demonstration where our guest loud thinks while they solve a problem. During this last session we should expect to pick up
1. programming language tips
2. text editor (or IDE) tricks
3. proper problem decomposition
4. better solution planning and execution
5. how to accept failure (or discover an intractable problem)
6. how to celebrate your victory alone or with your team

eXchange runs monthly, via Google Hangouts.

Our expectation is to be noticeably better than we were after every eXchange by quickly assimilating whatever is new and better into our routine. We already have suitable guests in mind but we're also open to suggestions, especially when you can help us get them. Do you have anybody in mind you'd want us to learn from? Let's talk in the comments.

Addy's tips on automating front-end workflow