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Sbusiso “Bubu” Buna is Leading Innovation in Africa’s Gig Economy

Sbusiso "Bubu" Buna is Leading Innovation in Africa’s Gig Economy

Sbusiso “Bubu” Buna is a South African entrepreneur with a passion for transforming the gig economy in Africa.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Jobox, Bubu has played a pivotal role in reshaping how skilled workers connect with job opportunities across the continent.

His work at Jobox is driven by a commitment to leveraging technology to solve one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young people.

His early professional experiences highlighted the inefficiencies and challenges faced by both job seekers and employers in the African job market, particularly in the gig economy.

And in 2018, Bubu co-founded Jobox with the vision of creating a platform that would revolutionize the gig economy in Africa.

Jobox was designed to bridge the gap between skilled workers and employers by providing a seamless, tech-driven solution for job matching.

The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows freelancers, contractors, and other gig workers to easily find work, manage their projects, and get paid, all in one place. For employers, Jobox simplifies the hiring process by connecting them with a pool of vetted, reliable talent.

Under Bubu’s leadership, Jobox has grown rapidly, attracting thousands of users across multiple African countries.

Bubu’s work with Jobox has earned him recognition as a leading figure in Africa’s tech ecosystems.

The platform has earned accolades for its innovative approach to solving unemployment and underemployment, particularly in regions where traditional job opportunities are scarce.

In addition to his work with Jobox, Bubu is a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and economic development in Africa.

He has participated in numerous conferences, panels, and workshops, sharing his insights on the gig economy, the future of work, and the role of technology in driving economic growth.

His thought leadership has made him a respected voice in the business community, and he continues to inspire others with his dedication to making a positive impact.

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Standard Chartered and WomHub Partner to Launch Second Women in Tech Incubator

New Investments

Standard Chartered and WomHub Partner to Launch Second Women in Tech Incubator

Standard Chartered Bank and WomHub have announced the launch of the second Women in Tech (WiT) Incubator Programme in South Africa.
 
This initiative aims to empower more women entrepreneurs in the tech sector through education, mentorship, and investment opportunities.

The WiT Incubator Programme, originally launched in the Americas by Standard Chartered in 2014, has become a global force for fostering female leadership in STEM fields. 
 
The program prioritizes gender equality and ignites innovation by providing mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and access to funding and a supportive community.

“Promoting diversity and women’s leadership in tech is critical for economic growth and sparking innovation,” said Chris Egberink, CEO of Standard Chartered in South Africa.
 
“Our WiT Incubator Programme isn’t just a pledge; it’s a tangible effort to equip women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to flourish. Since 2014, we’ve witnessed the program’s transformative impact on countless businesses, and we’re committed to building on that legacy. By empowering these women to scale their ventures, we’re not only creating jobs but also fostering a more inclusive and innovative tech landscape.”

The intensive 12-week program kicks off in September 2024 and will welcome 15 high-potential startups selected through a rigorous process.
 
Participants will gain valuable practical training, receive guidance from industry leaders, and have the opportunity to connect with investors and potential partners.

The program culminates with five finalists receiving USD $10,000 each in non-dilutive seed funding to propel their growth further.
 
The success of the first cohort, featuring 15 startups with innovative ideas in fintech, healthtech, proptech, and edutainment, has generated significant anticipation for the second edition.

Pretty Kubyane, founder of eFama, one of three South African startups awarded ZAR 100,000 in equity-free funding from the inaugural program, shared her experience.
 
“Participating in the WiT Incubator Programme last year was transformative for eFama. The program equipped us with the tools and support to overcome major hurdles, like expanding our market reach and refining our business model. With expert guidance and a supportive community, we were able to connect farmers directly with buyers, ensuring they receive payment promptly. Today, eFama has experienced exponential growth – we’ve secured significant funding, created jobs, and empowered other women in the industry. This program wasn’t just helpful; it provided the foundation for our long-term success.”

For more information about the program, please visit SCWiT – WomHub or contact Senamile@womhub.com

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Applications Open for Timbuktoo HealthTech Accelerator Program Offering $100K to Transform Healthcare in Africa

New Investments

Applications Open for Timbuktoo HealthTech Accelerator Program Offering $100K to Transform Healthcare in Africa

A new initiative, the Timbuktoo HealthTech Accelerator Program, is calling on visionary entrepreneurs and innovators across Africa to submit their groundbreaking ideas for transforming healthcare on the continent.

The program is seeking startups with scalable, defendable solutions that leverage technology to address critical healthcare challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Timbuktoo HealthTech Accelerator Program aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of startups developing innovative solutions in areas such as AI-driven diagnostics, locally manufactured medical devices, and biotechnology tailored to African needs. 

Criteria for Applicants:

  • Technology-enabled solution: Startups must have a digital-first approach to their solutions.
  • Contribution to SDGs: Solutions should align with and contribute to one or more of the UN SDGs.
  • Scalability: Startups must have a clear path to growth and expansion.
  • Defensibility: Startups should have a competitive advantage, such as intellectual property or domain expertise.
  • Innovation: Startups must offer a novel approach to solving health challenges.
  • Monetization strategy: Startups should have a clear plan for generating revenue.

Areas of Interest:

  • Disease prevention
  • Clinical preventive frameworks and community advocacy
  • Vaccine and medicine production
  • Medical robotics and automation
  • Genomics
  • Biomedical systems
  • Patient care journey
  • Pandemic/health emergencies management
  • Malnutrition and stunting

Benefits for Selected Startups:

  • Membership in the Timbuktoo HealthTech Hub ecosystem
  • Mentorship from industry experts
  • Equity-free funding of up to $100,000 USD
  • Networking opportunities
  • Access to investor networks
  • Resources and support to accelerate growth

Application Process:

Interested startups can apply online at [https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Xtvls0QpN0iZ9XSIrOVDGUX3Ay1r98ZLhR07OQNsAPxUMlNIMERKNjBMSFUwUktHUDM0UktWUjVPNy4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl] by October 6, 2024.

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SA’s Omnisient Raises $7.5 Million to Expand Privacy-Preserving Data Platform

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SA's Omnisient Raises $7.5 Million to Expand Privacy-Preserving Data Platform

South African startup Omnisient has secured $7.5 million in Series A funding to accelerate its growth and expand its privacy-preserving data collaboration platform across Africa and beyond.
 

Founded in 2019, Omnisient offers a unique solution that enables businesses to extract valuable insights from consumer data without compromising privacy.

The platform protects over 160 million consumer profiles and is currently used to assess credit risk and facilitate access to financial services for millions of underserved individuals.

The investment, led by Arise, a company focused on African financial services and fintech, will support Omnisient’s expansion into new markets and partnerships.

The company aims to create the world’s largest repository of alternative consumer data, empowering banks and insurers to extend financial services to a broader population.

“This investment aligns with our vision of using innovative fintech solutions to drive growth in Africa’s financial services sector,” said Gavin Tipper, CEO of Arise.

“Omnisient’s technology will help banks and data providers identify new customers, unlock new revenue streams, and foster financial inclusion.”

Omnisient’s co-founder, Jon Jacobson, expressed gratitude for the investment and emphasized the company’s commitment to creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

“We are excited to partner with Arise to expand our reach and make a positive impact on people’s lives,” he said.

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E-Motorcycle Maker Ampersand Raises $2 Million to Expand East African Electric Motorcycle Market

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E-Motorcycle Maker Ampersand Raises $2 Million to Expand East African Electric Motorcycle Market

Rwandan electric motorcycle manufacturer Ampersand has announced a $2 million Series A extension, bringing its total funding to $21.5 million.
 

The fresh capital will be used to expand the company’s operations into other East African countries.

Investors in the funding round included AHL Venture Partners, Everstrong Capital, and Beyond Capital Ventures.

The investment will support Ampersand’s goal of deploying 5 million electric motorcycles by 2033.

“This additional investment will accelerate the rollout of our EV energy technology and infrastructure to the mass market,” said Josh Whale, Ampersand CEO.

“We are closer than ever to achieving our goal of providing affordable, sustainable transportation solutions to millions of people across East Africa.”

Founded in 2016, Ampersand assembles and finances electric motorcycles in Rwanda. The company’s motorcycles are claimed to be 45% cheaper to operate and produce 75% fewer emissions than petrol alternatives.

Ampersand is now preparing for a Series B funding round to further scale its operations and increase production in Rwanda and Kenya.

The company recently announced a partnership with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to build 40,000 electric motorcycles in these countries by the end of 2026.

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