This Week in Tanzanian Startups 🔥

Ethereum's Visionary Founder Visits Tanzania: A Catalyst for Blockchain Innovation

Welcome to Build Africa! 👋🏿

Your startup journey starts here.

Beginnings are hard. Launching and scaling a startup is even harder. That overwhelming feeling when you face the unknown - the ideas buzzing in your head, the fear, the excitement…I know it well. That’s why I’m launching this space.

If you haven't subscribed, join thousands of folks curious about startups in Tanzania.

Vitalik Buterin founder of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, only behind Bitcoin paid a visit in Zanzibar, Tanzania during Zanzalu.

The Ethereum project was the brainchild of research scientist and crypto enthusiast Vitalik Buterin. Buterin discussed the concept of the Ethereum network in late 2013, but he lacked the capital to make his ambition a reality. A crowdfunding program was eventually launched during the months of July and August 2014. In the first 12 hours of the crowdfunding alone, over 7 million ETH tokens were sold at a market value of approximately $2.2 million. The project was then devised and launched the following summer.

Let’s Unpack Sub-Saharan Crypto Market

• According to data by ChainAnalysis, Sub-Saharan Africa has the smallest crypto economy of all regions, accounting for 2.3% of global transaction values between July 2022 and June 2023.

• Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania had some of the highest grassroots adoptions in term of volume in the world and ranked in the top 20 Global Crypto Adoption Index between July 2022 and June 2023.

• In no region is Bitcoin more dominant than Sub-Saharan Africa, as the world’s first cryptocurrency makes up a bigger share of transaction volume there than in any other region.

• The push factor in the region have been struggled with rising inflation and debt, making cryptocurrency an attractive means of storing value, preserving savings, and attaining greater financial freedom

Despite bitcoin being more dominant some market participants have turned away from Bitcoin and towards stablecoins of late, as these generally see less price volatility than Bitcoin, whose price is well off all-time highs.

The potential of blockchain in Africa

Celebrating Digital Excellence: Highlights from the Tanzanian Digital Awards

The Tanzanian Digital Awards are back, shining a spotlight on the country's brightest digital innovators and entrepreneurs. This prestigious event recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements in digital creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.

From groundbreaking apps to innovative digital marketing campaigns, the awards showcased the best of Tanzania's digital landscape. This year's winners include a diverse range of individuals and organizations that have harnessed the power of digital tools to drive growth and make a significant impact in their respective fields.

Imarisha Demo Day

After six months of dedicated work, the Imarisha Demo Day took place at WSH Arusha. This event showcased the groundbreaking projects of female entrepreneurs working to drive impact in the community by addressing climate change.

The Imarisha program is funded by the Netherland Embassy and run by Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha in Tanzania. This program offers specialized financial training and networking opportunities to help them grow their business.

Funding Opportunities 🎇🎇

531 in Total Blockchain, Crypto and Web3 Grants : Looking for GRANTS & BOUNTIES? Growth Your Ecosystem Grants, Bounties & Business Development with alpha growth tracking over 10 Billion in grants available.

DSkills@EA applications : A the program for all early-stage #innovators with a #scalable digital innovation-seeking network or mentorship.

Startupper of the Year Challenge by TotalEnergies Young Entrepreneurs: Are you a young entrepreneur (18-35) with a game-changing idea or a promising startup under 3 years old? The Startupper of the Year Challenge by TotalEnergies could be your launchpad.

SLINGSHOT 2024 (Deep Tech) : Calling all deep tech startups in Africa and beyond! Asia's premier deep tech pitching competition, SLINGSHOT 2024, is your chance to launch your venture onto the global stage. Compete for a share of S$1.2 million in prizes and gain access to Singapore's thriving deep tech ecosystem

Ideas competition Ventures : develoPPP ventures a funding program designed to empower early-stage startups in developing countries has opened application. Any startup meeting the eligibility criteria has a chance to apply.

This Week Event Highlight

Let's Connect! Find me on:

🐦 Find me on Twitter

💬 Chat with me on Linkedin

💌 Reply to this email