We’re excited to announce the Top 10 Finalists for our Startup of the Year Competition 2024! This year’s competition saw a record number of entries, with over 120 unique and innovative startups applying.

Who are the finalists?

The finalists were chosen based on a strict selection process that considered factors like innovation, potential for growth, impact on their industry, and online presence. Thanks to Innovation City member KPMG, a leading audit, tax and advisory services firm, for providing an in-house team to help determine our Top 10.

Here’s a closer look at the finalists:

• Newform Foods (Biotech): Revolutionising the food industry with sustainable alternatives to protein, addressing food security and environmental concerns. (Co-Founders: Brett Thompson and Tasneem Karodia)
• Gradlinc (Afrocentric Innovation): Empowering education and employment opportunities for African graduates by connecting them with employers. (Founded by Stellenbosch University)
• Parket (Parking Tech): Streamlining urban parking with a ticketless solution for parking lots, making access, payments, and management more efficient. (Founder and CEO Joshua Raphael) https://parket.co.za/
• Veya. (Fintech): Providing access to wealth management for low and middle-income households, promoting financial inclusion. (Shiven Moodley, Thulani Rex)
• BurnStar Technologies (Greentech): Pioneering cost-effective clean hydrogen production for a sustainable future. (CEO Johan Brand Ph.D.) https://www.burnstar.co.za/
• e-HHiKe (GreenTech/Afrocentric Innovation): A mobility startup leveraging technology to connect taxi and vehicle owners with learning materials, organize clients, and increase reach. (CEO Yaa Addo-Bediako, COO Evans Nkomo) https://ehhike.com/
• Tweak Carbon (Greentech): Making carbon footprint measurement easier for individuals, particularly related to food choices, to encourage informed decisions towards climate action. (Founder: Camille O’Sullivan) https://www.tweakcarbon.com/
• AI Diagnostics (Medtech): Using AI-enabled digital stethoscopes to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, with an initial focus on tuberculosis. (Founder Braden van Breda)
• sens(AI): Developing AI-powered solutions to enhance market research by providing actionable data and insights at affordable prices. (Founders Jacqui Young and Per Lagerstrom) https://sens.digital/
• Biomine(Medtech): Offering a novel treatment for anxiety disorders by harnessing the gut microbiome, aiming to improve patient outcomes. (Co-Founder: Vaughn Barendsen)

What’s next?

These ten finalists will compete in a live pitch showdown in front of our esteemed judges on April 24th at Innovation City 5pm – 7:30pm. Save a seat here: : https://qkt.io/AsPXzy

The winner will be announced at the Innovation City Awards Night on April 25th, where other awards like Impact, Honorary, Entrepreneur of the Year, and VC of the Year will also be presented.

Good luck to all! 🍀