To qualify, entrepreneur must have a significant ownership stake (at least 10%) in a U.S.-based startup that was formed within the last five years.

The funding round was led by a consortium of high-net-worth individuals and investors, including CrossBoundary, Redshaw Advisors, and existing investor, the Steyn Group.

Konnect Networks, a leading payment solution provider in North Africa, offers businesses of all sizes a simple and intuitive platform to accept a variety of payment methods.

ValU CEO Walid Hassouna reported that 55,000 cards have been activated, processing 250,000 transactions worth approximately 400 million Egyptian pounds ($8.3 million USD)

The firm’s impressive track record includes four successful exits since its inception in 2018.

The company employs an omnichannel approach, combining a robust online platform with partnerships with leading retailers to ensure visibility, trust, and product availability. This hybrid strategy is crucial for success in the African beauty market.

Each selected company will receive a $200,000 investment.

"Securing funding from these US investors is a vote of confidence in our business model, which has already processed more than R50 million in transactions..."

Solarbox, founded in 2022 by Tijan Watt, offers an integrated solution encompassing solar energy generation, locally assembled utility electric vehicles (2–3 wheelers), and comprehensive system management software

Yassir’s expansion in Morocco is part of a broader continental growth strategy, supported by a successful Series B funding round that raised $150 million in 2022

Companies investing in labelled startups can deduct up to 30% of their income or profits, with a ceiling of 200 million Algerian dinars (approx. USD$1.5 million)

The platform’s launch is timely, coinciding with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalization directive, which has spurred numerous offers for subscription and rights announcements by Nigerian banks.