The Betaraise accelerator is designed to help first-time founders go from launching a beta product to their first pre-seed investment round in the fastest possible time, using a no-frills approach with laser focus on supporting first-time founders with no experience in raising money.
After a rigorous review process of nearly 200 applications in the premier edition of the program, we are excited to present the 10 innovative startups selected to participate in the Betaraise accelerator by Impact Hub Accra – in partnership with FMO Ventures program and with VC4A.
In no particular order, let’s meet the startups
Street Streams exists primarily as an innovation hub that enables identified communities to have a better life experience, using technology and science.
Cedijob –
Cedijob is an online platform where service professionals (freelancers and artisans) are linked with custo
mers who need their services instantly. Cedijob leverages technology by providing the access infrastructure which informal workers and freelancers are commonly lacking – from access to skill market to customer service, work processing and payment management.
Ignite Lines is a global sourcing hub that puts together data, network, and people to make cross-borde
r trade happen. We deliver value by providing intelligence, an ecosystem, and a global network of people to help buyers and suppliers find new opportunities, get connected, and start doing business together efficiently.
Our flagship project, TapDom is focused on delivering the most convenient payment services in transport, logistics and events revenue collection.
Packpapa –
PackPapa is the fastest way to buy and sell everything packaging online. We strive to revolutionize the $
300 Million dollars African packaging industry by bridging the gap between packaging manufacturers, distributors, retailers & the bizpers (business/personal) users.
Kinzerra –
Kinzerra is a free online platform that makes it easy for locals and tourists to find and buy locally made products online.
Merdeo is an alternative B2B marketplace for smallholder farmers and vendors by leveraging tec
hnology combined with modern distribution and logistics to aggregate demand of consumers and hence build a more efficient and resilient supply chain.
ErrandPay helps travelers, intra-African traders, and African immigrants to access cash and payment in local currencies instantly.
StoVoo Inc disrupts the food service space with through food delivery that integrates e-learning, appointment booking & advanced meal planning in Ghana and globally.
Speaking on the rationale behind the accelerator, William Senyo, CEO of Impact Hub Accra, says; BetaRaise couldn’t have come at a better time! In a period of global slowdown with VCs deploying less capital, first time founders need all the help they can get to navigate their growth journey. BetaRaise is doing just that through a no-frills approach aimed at filling team gaps for startups, getting their beta product launched and generating traction to close a pre-seed round.
Designed for first-time entrepreneurs with little to no fundraising experience, the structure of the program is aimed at helping first-time founders build a solid team, tighten up their beta rollout plan, acquire users, and use strong beta numbers to close a pre-seed round of $100k+.
This premier cohort features 10 early-stage companies in the urban food systems, mass-market distribution, renewable energy, e-mobility, gig economy, and fintech sectors. Nine of the startups have operations in Ghana with one “wildcard” from Nigeria looking to enter the Ghanaian market. Finally, once matched with a seasoned “venture partner” who will provide expert advice at the management and board level, the 10 startups within this cohort will receive BetaRaise support over a 3-month period from June – August, after which they will get the opportunity to present themselves to a selected group of (pre)seed investors for pitching.
Source: Deborah A.N Nyarko-Mensah/VC4A
