A software application that seeks to connect busy people with personal shoppers for their errands has won the inaugural +254 Rising entrepreneurship competition that honours innovative ideas. Deliverus, a local company that made the app, emerged winner in the competition organised by US-based Affines Labs and international money transfer company Dahabshiil.
Deliverus, which won seed money and six-month incubation at iHub, buys goods from kiosks and grocers within a five-kilometre radius of the user, on order, and delivers the items using motorcyclists at a small fee. The service will be formally launched in Nairobi before end of the year.
“We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to dramatically change the socio-economic landscape in Africa. Youth entrepreneurs, in particular, will be key drivers of innovation and future economic growth. What we have seen in the presentations at +254 Rising is clear testimony that the future of Kenya is in good hands,” Dahabshiil CEO Abdirashid Duale said.
Other finalists at +254 Rising included MechLynk – an “Uber for car repair and towing”; Pupate – a mobile-enabled system for retrieving lost personal items; Atongoi – a startup that seeks to gasify farming through a loyalty card; and Mbegubora – a mobile platform that connects farmers and agricultural services companies. Duale said empowering youth across Africa will help reduce poverty and create opportunities for them to participate in development projects.
