NBA Africa revealed the five startups that claimed top honors at the 2025 Triple-Double Accelerator. The program supports Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs and innovators in sports and entertainment.

The announcement followed a Demo Day at Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Kigali, Rwanda. Ten finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of industry leaders, including CMU-Africa Director Dr. Conrad Tucker, OpenAI Africa Lead Emmanuel Lubanzadio, and ServiceNow Africa executives Cheick Camara and Nikki van Gasse.

Startups receive funding and mentorship

The five winners earned cash prizes and joined CMU-Africa’s 12-month Business Incubation Program, which helps early-stage companies turn prototypes into scalable solutions. The top three also received $10,000 in API credits and a day of mentorship with the OpenAI engineering team.

• Reborn (Morocco): Offers athletes detailed performance insights to improve training and on-field results. Prize: $25,000, incubation program, $10,000 API credits, OpenAI immersion.

• Fitclan (Egypt): A digital fitness hub with flexible subscription options for individuals and businesses. Prize: $15,000, incubation, $10,000 API credits, OpenAI immersion.

• Athlon Technology (Egypt): AI-powered mobile video analysis for amateur sports teams. Prize: $5,000, incubation, $10,000 API credits, OpenAI immersion.

• Atsur (Nigeria): Blockchain-based platform to promote African art and investment in artists. Prize: $2,500, incubation program.

• Songdis (Nigeria): Digital distribution platform for African independent musicians and labels. Prize: $2,500, incubation program.

NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi praised the winners. “These entrepreneurs are shaping the future of sports and entertainment in Africa. This program will help them scale globally,” she said.

Partners strengthen Africa’s tech ecosystem

The accelerator is supported by CMU-Africa, OpenAI, and ServiceNow, with ALX Ventures serving as the official operating partner. Together, they provide expertise and resources to guide startups from concept to market-ready products.

The program highlights NBA Africa’s dedication to fostering innovation and technology development on the continent, empowering entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.