The PRISE-UP program aims to facilitate the efficient flow of private financing towards innovative high-impact social enterprises that will contribute to the digital economy. The program's work intersects three key areas of support: private capital mobilization (projects that mobilize private co-finance); digital economy (ICT projects that stimulate the digital economy); and social impact (projects that have a positive social impact).

Kicking off the program by launching the first edition in the Maghreb region, the catalytic PRISE-UP program provided its participants with bootcamp training, mentorship opportunities, investor meetings, and a demo day to highlight their solutions.

Meet the participating startups in the Maghreb PRISE-UP program:

Moroccan startups:

• Dwa Chain - An application that allows patients and pharmacists to verify the authenticity of their medication using blockchain technology
• Solar e Cycles - Lease to use solar powered light weight vehicles (Tricycles mostly)
• Logidoo - A digital platform that organizes, compares and supports logistics for businesses. Specialize in road, water and air transport.
• ALTO.Solution - A renewable energy company that has designed a parabolic trough solar panel. These panels have higher optical performance and wind resistance.
• Dabago - A mobile application that calculates your transport route, specialized for developing country contexts.
• OMNIUP -Full-screen advertising on mobile devices in order to access free wifi.

Tunisian startups:

• Foodealz - An app that provides access for restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores to sell unsold/surplus dishes from 70% cheaper
• Semsem - A Tunisian Super app that includes mobile payment, food delivery and ride hailing
• FabSkill - One-stop online recruitment solution that uses Artificial Intelligence and videos to make sourcing, tracking, assessing and hiring talents quick and easy.
• We-Settle - A tunisian startup that automates and digitizes invoice processing and settling using AI, electronic signature and e-payment
• Tobba.Tn - A platform that securely connects patients to qualified doctors with video consultation. Can generate prescriptions and referrals.

Algerian startups:

• Easy Relay - A fully integrated logistics service for short delivery services that takes into account the cash on delivery needs in Algeria. They work with SMEs as well as larger ecommerce businesses.
• Nrecycli - Recycling company (Nrecycli) offers people the chance to locate the nearest collection point to drop off their recyclables and earn rewards. They also offer training for the public and engage individuals and institutions to contribute “collection space” in exchange for equipment, training and a percentage of the profit.
• Grenadox - Grenadox offers dietary supplements based on pomegranate, which is good for digestive disorders, vitamin deficiencies and pregnant women.

The PRISE-UP program is made possible with GrowthAfrica, the program’s overall project lead and the leading acceleration and growth partner for African entrepreneurs and companies scaling their business in and across Africa. Taking the role of content delivery partner and international network collaborator is Seedstars, a Swiss-based company that invests and supports tech startups from emerging markets.

Local implementing partners will also be supporting the program such as: Afkar, a Tunisian incubator dedicated to catalyzing individuals with great ideas for social change; MCISE, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to finding entrepreneurial and innovative solutions to every social challenge in Morocco; and Go Platform, Algeria’s pioneer in academic education and self-development.

To learn more about the PRISE-UP program and the startups, visit the website

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ABOUT WORLD BANK

The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

ABOUT GROWTHAFRICA

GrowthAfrica was established in Nairobi in 2002 acting as a vehicle to facilitate wealth creation in Africa through the strengthening of SMEs and startups and facilitation of B2B partnerships and knowledge transfer between African and western businesses. From its founding, the core services were centered on facilitating partnerships between local companies and entrepreneurs and ditto outside of Africa.

ABOUT SEEDSTARS

Seedstars is a Swiss-based private company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. The groups’ activities cover over 90 emerging ecosystems through a variety of initiatives such as the Online Seedstars World Competition, acceleration programs, physical hubs called Seedspace, venture capital investments and company building activities. Seedstars The Documentary is a feature film featuring the company’s vision to give a voice to the game changers of the developing world.

"They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds." - Mexican proverb

For more information please contact:

Liz Kariuki at [email protected] or Michaela Villaroman at [email protected]