An SA mobile app company has been selected as one of the world’s top five innovative and entrepreneurial companies.
Afroes took the third prize of $8 000 at the 5th Global Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which was held in East London.
The company was chosen from 50 companies that had entered the Dragon’s Den pitching competition.
Judging criteria included:
- Commercial potential
- Long-term success
- Impact on society.
Founded by Anne Shongwe, Afroes inspires the conversations and choices of young Africans through branded digital media and social responsible campaigns.
The start-up is hosted by mLab at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria.
“We are very excited that Afroes has won such a coveted prize. It is important for African based start-ups to get the opportunity to pitch in front of a global audience to win mind-share in the mobile innovation space. Anne is an amazing role model not only for young innovators and entrepreneurs but also for women across Africa,” mLab Southern Africa CEO Derrick Kotze said.
Afroes creates uniquely African mobile applications and tools for social development agencies and corporate enterprises keen to spread educational and branded messages across the continent.