International research firm looking for African tech startups to showcase

folarin okunola

February 5, 2016 11:59 AM

Gartner said the programme aims to support the African startup technology scene and provide delegates with access to innovative local technology providers.

Gartner

Media reports reveal that international research firm Gartner is looking for African tech startups to showcase via its Aspiring Innovators Programme (AIP) at the annual Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

According to a Disrupt Africa report, the event, which will take place on September 26-28, will highlight interesting African startup technology companies that have something unique to offer enterprise organisations looking to invest.

Gartner said the programme aims to support the African startup technology scene and provide delegates with access to innovative local technology providers.

Gartner research analysts will select startups and give them opportunity to pitch to an audience looking for solutions and meet with senior IT decision-makers.

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Last year, the event saw six selected South African companies – Build, Clevva, Encentivize, Mapzania, Nandie and Wyzetalk – attend the event.

This year, over 1,100 CIOs and senior IT executives are expected to attend.

Gartner wants early-stage startups based in Africa, with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1.23 million in revenue. The product/solution must support B2B or corporate B2C use cases, and be in production or beta with at least two customers.

Interested startups that meet these conditions can apply by sending contact details, a “company CV” and a short description of why their product is innovative to aspiringInnovators@gartner.co.za on or before February 26.

folarin okunola