NBA Africa Triple Double Startup Accelerator Program
Credit: NBA Africa
Africa’s digital economy continues to grow and with a rapidly growing youth population, the continent is positioning itself as a global hub for innovation. By 2030, African youth are projected to account for 42% of the world’s youth and 75% of African youth under 35, offering huge potential to transform various industries, including sports and the creative economy.
Speaking to Forbes.com ahead of the NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator Demo Day in New York City, NBA Africa CEO Claire Akamanzi elaborated on the program and highlighted the transformative power of Africa’s youth: “Africa is made up of young people who are committed to making the continent better than their parents’ generation saw it,” she said, emphasizing the critical importance of harnessing this vibrant energy for innovation and growth.
Forbes.com also spoke with two of the accelerator’s 10 finalists, who provided insight into their journey so far and the innovations they’re bringing to the forefront.
Triple Double Accelerator: Nurturing young entrepreneurs through innovation
Developed in partnership with ALX Ventures, the NBA Triple Double Accelerator aims to strengthen Africa’s sports ecosystem and support the creative industries across the continent. The accelerator received an overwhelming 700 applications, from which 10 finalists from seven African countries were selected to participate in an intensive mentorship program. Today, the finalists will pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at NBA Headquarters in New York City.
“This platform was created to help young people bring their ideas to life and market,” Akamanzi explains. “African youth are born innovators, they just need support to realise their full potential.”
The selected startups underwent rigorous mentoring focused on refining their business models and preparing them for the global stage.
After the presentations, a panel of judges will select four winning companies, who will receive financial support and additional mentorship, including participation in workshops and development programs organized by NBA Africa or its partners. The initiative aims to ensure that these startups are not only viable in Africa, but also internationally competitive, establishing the continent as a hub of innovation in sports and the creative industries.
(U.S. Trade and Development Administrator Eno T. Ebong and NBA Africa CEO Claire Akamanzi) [+] Triple Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator Launches
Credit: NBA Africa
Path to Global Impact: Measures of Success and the Vision of NBA Africa
The Triple Double Accelerator finalists were evaluated based on rigorous criteria, including the feasibility and scalability of their business models, their potential impact on Africa’s sports and creative ecosystem, and their ability to address the unique challenges facing the continent.
“We want to give African startups a seat at the table and the opportunity to take their ideas to the next level,” Akamanzi said, emphasizing a commitment to investing in talent and fostering long-term partnerships. He added that the 10 finalists will receive support to prepare and organize, while the four winning companies will receive further mentorship and funding. This approach reflects NBA Africa’s vision to create sustainable, home-grown solutions for the continent’s growing sports community.
Vambo AI: Using technology to preserve African languages
Chido Dzinotywei, founder of Vambo AI, is one of 10 finalists in the program and will be presenting his idea… [+] The product was unveiled during Demo Day at NBA Headquarters in New York City.
Credit: NBA Africa
One of the finalists is Vambo AI, a startup that works to preserve and promote indigenous African languages through AI technology. Founder Chido Dzinotyiwei shared her experiences and challenges that led her to start the venture. “I have a strong passion for languages because I faced language-related challenges growing up,” she explains. “I had to repeat the fourth grade because I wasn’t fluent in English, the language of instruction. My teachers did this to ensure that I wasn’t holding back from reaching my full potential.”
This formative experience shaped her mission and motivated her to launch a business focused on language education. “After completing my degree in Economics at UCT, I decided to start a business focused on teaching languages to people, both in their native language and in English,” she said. Vambo AI has since evolved into an AI-powered platform serving over 14,000 users. “One year and two months after its launch, Vambo AI covers over 40 African languages. This has allowed us to understand the specific needs of different communities.”
Speaking about the future of the platform, Ginotiway said: “Currently we are very good at translation and text conversion solutions, and can create subtitles and captions for audio, but we would like to expand into speech recognition to make the solution even more inclusive.” Ginotiway’s ambition is to enable people with disabilities, such as the visually impaired, to participate in content such as sports in their native language or a language they have learned.
The opportunity to participate in the NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator was pivotal for Vambo AI. “This experience helped us understand what it takes to serve global companies like the NBA and NBA Africa,” said Ginotiwe. “We hope to secure more clients at that level. This opportunity validated our efforts and contributions to the ecosystem.”
Vambo AI has grown to 14,000 users since its founding, and Dzinotyiwei stressed the importance of long-term sustainability to the company’s business: “We want our product to remain in someone’s business for the long term. We don’t just raise money and sell to one or two people, we want to be sustainable.” This focus on long-term viability underscores Vambo AI’s commitment to being an enduring contributor to the language technology sector in Africa.
Doha, Qatar – February 28, 2024. Vambo AI Co-Founder and CEO Chido Dzinotyiwei takes center stage [+] Day two of Web Summit Qatar 2024 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile, Web Summit Qatar via Getty Images)
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Buzza: Transforming sports fan engagement and community building
In Nigeria’s vibrant tech world, under the guidance of 25-year-old Taofeek Lawal, Buzza is emerging as a leader in sports technology. Inspired by the challenges he faced while managing a sports league during his university years, Taofeek applied his computer science background from Veritas University to create a digital platform that would improve how sports communities are run. “Managing points and assists during leagues was always a challenge and a source of contention,” Taofeek recalls. “This experience gave us the idea to create a website that would address these issues.”
Buzza’s success hinges on its innovative approach to sports management, providing automated tools that help communities move from traditional paper-based methods to comprehensive digital platforms. Taofeeq highlighted that “Many sports communities in Africa don’t have access to automated tools, despite wanting to improve. We are trying to change that behavior, but it takes time and training.”
Participating in the Triple Double Accelerator, which aims to incubate African sports tech startups, was crucial for Baza, and Taofeek expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “We knew the accelerator would provide us with insights to guide growth across the continent. The NBA’s experience in building sustainable sports leagues like BAL will be invaluable.”
Taofeeq Lawal, founder of Buzza, is one of 10 finalists who will pitch their ideas at Demo. [+] day
Credit: NBA Africa
The program helped refine Buzza’s business model and connect with mentors who understand the intricacies of the sports tech industry. To further his understanding, Taofeeq highlighted lessons he learned from ALX’s founders, who emphasized the importance of long-term vision and scalability. “It’s not just about solving today’s problems, it’s also about building solutions that can scale. This perspective has been crucial as we expand Buzza’s reach.”
By integrating gamification, Buzza strengthens user engagement and fosters deeper connections between athletes and the community. The revenue model has adapted to meet the needs of the community, with Taofeeq stating, “Initially, we had challenges with revenue, but now we charge companies between $50 and $1,000 per year depending on the size of their community. With mentoring, we can convert free users into paying users.” This adaptability has positioned Buzza for sustainable growth in the competitive sports technology space.
Currently, Buzza has 5,000 registered users, with around 2,000 active during term time, but participation drops off during the off-season. Taofeeq and his team are exploring strategies to keep users engaged throughout the year. As Buzza evolves, it prioritizes cultivating strong networks within the sports community. Taofeeq noted insights from industry leaders such as NBA Africa VP Gbemisola Abudu, who stressed the importance of quality connections for growth. By prioritizing relationships, Buzza is building a strong community foundation that supports its long-term vision.
The role of technology in Africa’s growing sports ecosystem
The NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator demonstrates the transformative power of technology to shape the African sports landscape. From enhancing fan experiences to driving player engagement and enhancing sports management, technology is at the heart of this evolution.
Referring to BAL, Akamanzi emphasised the key role of digital innovation, saying: “Technology is embedded in everything we do, from our product offerings on and off the court to enhancing the live sports experience.”Startups within the accelerator are leveraging technology to create solutions to meet the growing demand for sports and entertainment across the continent.
Initiatives like the Triple Double Accelerator enable young innovators to make meaningful contributions to the African sports ecosystem. “Some of the solutions developed in the program are focused on AI, event planning and improving the live experience for sports fans,” Akamanzi said.
KIGALI, Rwanda – May 24: AS Douanes celebrates with fans after their win against Petro de Luanda in Kigali, Rwanda. [+] At the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, May 24, 2023. Notice to users: By downloading and/or using this photo, users agree to the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. Required copyright notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Looking to the Future: The Future of Triple Double Accelerator
The Triple Double Accelerator has great potential to expand its impact and support more African startups in the global sports and creative sectors. Akamanzi outlined the future goals of the program: “We aim to make this an annual initiative and continually improve our approach based on the insights gained this year. Inclusivity remains our top priority. We are working to develop solutions that address technology access and infrastructure challenges to benefit the broader African community.”
In the rapidly changing world of sports technology, NBA Africa is not only joining the conversation, but empowering the continent’s youth to drive the conversation forward. With its innovative platform and commitment to community engagement, it is poised to make a lasting impact on Africa beyond basketball.
As these startups take their first steps towards global impact, they not only embody their own ambition, but also Africa’s innovative spirit. By supporting their journey, NBA Africa aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and ultimately establish the continent as a hub for innovation in sports and the creative industries.