Ocean impact focused accelerator selects six African startups

The Ocean impact-focused accelerator by OceanHub Africa has selected one South African, three Nigerian, one Kenyan and one Ethiopian startup as its 2022 cohort.

An ocean-impact focused accelerator run by OceanHub Africa has selected six startups for its program, the only such program in Africa. OceanHub Africa (OHA) is an initiative that aims to support businesses focused on reducing our impact on the ocean. The accelerator aims to support companies that are working toward reducing over-exploitation and pollution and addressing the impact of climate change on the ocean.

The South Africa-based initiative is located in Cape Town, a city with a vibrant technical and business community and ecosystem. The OHA program is pan-African in nature and delivers educational and support sessions online and in-person through a bootcamp.

128 applicants

The six successful startups were chosen from among 128 applicants from 33 countries. The companies chosen for the accelerator are:

South Africa’s SeaH4, a startup with presents the maritime industry with an alternative to fossil fuels that can assist them with decarbonization;

Happy Pads, an Ethiopian company that develops eco-friendly sanitary products for women;

Kenya’s Kumbatia Seafood, which aids smaller fisheries with capacity building, market access, cold chain facilities and financing;

Nigeria’s Eja-Ice, which has creates solar-powered refrigeration systems and cold chain services;

Think Bikes, a Nigerian startup that manufactures electric cargo bikes designed to meet a wide range of needs;

Scrapays, a Nigerian waste management services that supports individuals in creating, growing and scaling small recycling businesses.

Accelerator program

This first cohort of startups took part in a hybrid bootcamp in September that emphasized capacity building, peer learning and teamwork. The startup companies’ entrepreneurs received tailored training and guidance from the OHA team and listened to expert speakers during the event.

Over the coming months, the startups will continue to receive support from OHA’s team and network of mentors and partners. This support will be focused on product development, access to business, engineering and scientific expertise, access to market leads; and hands-on services from corporate partners.

In 2023, as part of the Ocean Innovation Africa Summit, the startups will graduate from the accelerator program, and join the OHA alumni group, through which OHA will continue to offer access to further mentorship, fundraising and networking opportunities.

Nigeria has dominated African startup spending in the tech sector for the past eight years. Other sectors are also proving attractive to regional and international investors.