On Friday October 25, 2024, Dakar was the scene of a landmark event for innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa: the Demo Day of the first cohort of Challenge+ Dakar. Organized by HEC Paris in partnership with the Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER/FJ) and the French Embassy in Senegal, this event allowed ten Senegalese start-ups to present their promising projects in front of investors, leaders of the entrepreneurial sector and institutional representatives. This Demo Day symbolizes progress for young Senegalese companies and a strengthening of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Challenge+ Dakar’s mission is to support high-potential African entrepreneurs in their innovation projects. For this first edition, the ten selected start-ups unveiled innovative solutions covering key sectors such as BioTech, GreenTech, HealthTech, FinTech and EdTech. These projects aim to respond to concrete challenges at the local level while aiming for a positive impact for the continent.
The first prize was awarded to Limawa, a start-up that specializes in food preservation using solar refrigeration technology adaptable to vehicles. This solution makes it possible to preserve the quality of fresh products while using renewable energy, a crucial step forward for sustainable food in Africa. With a current turnover of 60 million FCFA, Limawa aims to reach 150 million by the end of 2025, demonstrating the viability and growth potential of its model.
In second place, the start-up NeoFarm stood out thanks to its technology for transforming organic waste into insect proteins and oils, used for animal feed, as well as fertilizer for agriculture. This project is fully in line with a logic of sustainability by promoting local resources while meeting the growing food needs on the continent.
Tukkijamm, which won third prize, tackles the challenges of urban mobility with a home-to-work carpooling solution for corporate employees. This initiative aims to make daily journeys more fluid while reducing the carbon footprint, in line with the ecological transition and the needs for sustainable transport in urban areas.
The favorite prize was awarded to Alyfaa start-up that offers Afrocentric educational games for young children. By placing African culture at the heart of the educational experience, Alyfa helps new generations to reclaim and celebrate their cultural identity, thus responding to a need for representation and cultural enhancement.
Philippe Oster, Director of International Affairs at HEC Paris, expressed his admiration for the projects presented: “Challenge+ Dakar embodies HEC Paris’ mission to support African entrepreneurship. This first cohort reveals remarkable potential, and our partnership with the DER/FJ and the French Embassy reinforces our commitment to supporting the dynamism of Senegal, with the ambition of making it an innovation hub for the continent. »
Etienne Krieger, academic co-director of the Challenge+ program, added: “By supporting these young startups, we want to help create a solid and sustainable economy in Africa. Senegal and Ivory Coast represent promising markets where entrepreneurial opportunities are numerous, and this program is designed to identify and support high-potential talents there.”
The Demo Day was also an opportunity to highlight the importance of international cooperation in supporting African start-ups. Christine Fages, Ambassador of France to Senegal, declared: “HEC Challenge+ has become a major lever for African entrepreneurship. This program provides Senegalese start-ups with the visibility necessary to attract international funding, an essential step for their expansion and impact. »
At the end of the event, a panel bringing together several experts, including former ministers and sector leaders, discussed strategies to encourage innovation and financing of young businesses in Africa. The discussions highlighted the financing challenges facing African start-ups, while reaffirming the need for structured support to transform ideas into viable businesses.
Senegal will be in the spotlight during the Overseas Innovation competition, scheduled for November 2024 in Paris. Two Senegalese start-ups from this first promotion of Challenge+ Dakar will proudly represent the country, providing increased visibility to the Senegalese entrepreneurial ecosystem on the international scene.
With this successful first edition, Challenge+ Dakar opens the way to a promising future for young Senegalese and African companies. This program constitutes a solid basis for Senegal to become a reference in innovation and a model of inspiration for the continent.
