Western Cape tech founders are building companies that can compete well beyond South Africa's borders. The Cape Venture Bridge is designed to help them prove it. Applications are now open for Cohort 1 of the Cape Venture Bridge, an AfricArise programme supported by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), Western Cape Government. Twenty startups will be selected. The top five will be fully funded to attend GITEX Africa in Morocco from 26 to 28 April 2027, w

Two years after winning in Nairobi, Kenya's Rhea has a convertible note led by Obudu Capital to roll out its AgriPad soil-testing device and find out whether its soil intelligence model can travel beyond Kenya. For most smallholder farmers, the soil is the least visible part of the farm. Yields fall, so more fertiliser goes on. The soil becomes more acidic, the crop absorbs fewer nutrients, and the cycle repeats, often without anyone knowing what the soil actually needs. Keny

By Christophe Viarnaud, Founder & CEO, Methys Venture Studio I read Ido Sum’s recent piece, Adolescence: A Different Take on African VC Maturing, with a mix of recognition and discomfort. Recognition, because his diagnosis lands. Discomfort, because I’m not sure we’re asking the right question. Ido makes a compelling case that African venture has reached adolescence: companies were capitalised on the assumption of future exits that, in many cases, haven’t materialised. The to