NBA Africa has unveiled the five prize-winning startup companies from the second edition of the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, a program launched in 2023 to strengthen Africa’s technology ecosystem and empower the continent’s next generation of entrepreneurs. The announcement was made at CMU-Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, where finalists pitched their innovations before an international panel of experts.
With over 700 applicants from 32 African countries, the competition was fierce. The 10 finalists brought forth cutting-edge solutions spanning various sectors including sports tech, entertainment, fitness, AI-driven analytics, and digital creativity. The winning teams will benefit from financial backing, mentorship, and the chance to enter Carnegie Mellon University Africa’s (CMU-Africa) 12-month Business Incubation Program, which is valued at up to $70,000. This initiative aims to pave the way for transforming innovative prototypes into scalable products ready for market launch.
In addition to the financial incentives, the top three startups were awarded $10,000 in OpenAI API credits, along with a unique immersion day with the OpenAI engineering team at the company’s headquarters, further enhancing their potential for growth and development.
Winners of the 2025 NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator
1st Place – Reborn (Morocco)
Reborn stands out for providing advanced athlete performance indicators, which offer deep insights into physical fitness, on-field movement, and progression. This innovative approach to sports performance tracking has garnered significant attention. The awards for Reborn included:
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$25,000 cash prize
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Admission to CMU-Africa’s Business Incubation Program
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$10,000 OpenAI API credits
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Exclusive immersion day with OpenAI engineers
2nd Place – Fitclan (Egypt)
Fitclan has developed a digital fitness platform that offers flexible subscriptions catering to individuals as well as corporate wellness programs. This approach aims to make fitness accessible and tailored to diverse audiences. The awards for Fitclan included:
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$15,000 cash prize
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Admission to CMU-Africa’s Incubation Program
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$10,000 OpenAI API credits
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OpenAI immersion day
3rd Place – Athlon Technology (Egypt)
Athlon is making waves by using mobile and AI tools to provide affordable video analysis for amateur and budget-conscious sports teams. This addresses a significant gap in technology for community sports, empowering players and coaches alike. The awards for Athlon included:
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$5,000 cash prize
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CMU-Africa incubation opportunity
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$10,000 OpenAI API credits
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OpenAI immersion day
4th Place – Atsur (Nigeria)
Atsur employs blockchain technology to help investors and collectors support African art while empowering local artists and communities, representing a fusion of technology and cultural preservation. The awards for Atsur included:
5th Place – Songdis (Nigeria)
Songdis is dedicated to supporting independent African musicians and labels by providing digital distribution and services that enhance visibility and revenue, vital components in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. The awards for Songdis included:
A Showcase of Africa’s Most Promising Innovators
The Demo Day featured finalists presenting their technologies to a distinguished judging panel, including:
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Dr. Conrad Tucker, Director, CMU-Africa
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Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI Africa Lead
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Cheick Camara, VP & Managing Director, ServiceNow Africa
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Nikki van Gasse, Head of Strategy & Operations, ServiceNow Africa
This remarkable Demo Day was made possible with the support of CMU-Africa, OpenAI, ServiceNow, and ALX Ventures, which served as the official operating partner for the second year in a row.
NBA Africa Celebrates Bold Innovation Across the Continent
The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the participants were lauded by NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, who stated:
“The finalists and prize-winning companies distinguished themselves through bold and innovative solutions shaping the future of sport and entertainment in Africa. The support they receive through this accelerator will help them scale their products and drive lasting impact on the continent and beyond.”
With growing participation and increasing support from industry and technology leaders, the Triple-Double Accelerator is rapidly becoming one of Africa’s most influential platforms for tech-enabled entrepreneurship.