Kenyan matatu (minibus taxi) rating app MyRideKenya has been named Startup of the Year at East AfricaCom, and will progress to compete against other regional winners at AfricaCom later this year.
Disrupt Africa reported yesterday East AfricaCom kicked off in Nairobi, with entrepreneurship taking on a key role in the event with the introduction of a dedicated Entrepreneur’s Hub.
The Entrepreneur’s Hub featured a pitch and win competition which saw three startups go head-to-head before a panel of judges, with Disrupt Africa co-founder Tom Jackson lead judge.
Android app MyRideKenya was named winner by the judges; with founder Bernard Adongo winning an expenses-paid trip to Cape Town in November, where he will compete against other regional winners at the AfricaCom annual conference.
MyRideKenya allows passengers using public transport vehicles to rate vehicles and their staff, share content files – such as pictures or video files -, and chat to other passengers. The app aims to make public transport in Kenya safer, and more comfortable.
The other two competitors to pitch at the event were digital classifieds platform Sumuni – which aggregates equipment hire companies -; and iCountyKE, an app facilitating communications between citizens and county officials across Kenya.
“We, the judges, were very impressed with the participants pitching at the inaugural East African Startup of the Year competition – very well done to all the teams for their strong performances,” said Jackson.
“And of course, congratulations to the winning MyRideKenya team. We look forward to seeing you again at the competition final at AfricaCom.”
