DFP supports the “Meet the Tôshikas” – UNDP’s first venture capital investment promotion programme with Japan as it kicks off with Angola, Zambia, and South Africa

We are thrilled to announce that from the Top 30 startups, the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub has selected its Top 6 for the prestigious “Meet the Tôshikas” program!

Angola
Anda (mobility, Sergio Tati Nührmann): Formalizing the 2-wheeler moto-taxi market in Angola, providing financing, training, and insurance to its drivers, thus providing better and safer service for its customers!
mamboo (#ecommerce/delivery, Phillip Oliveira Kaê Carvalho): Providing quick and seamless food/FMCG deliveries via its design award-winning platform!

South Africa
Zoie Health(womenhealth, Thato Schermer): A platform empowering women’s communities and small businesses to get proactive about their health!
Jobox (hr tech, Sbusiso Buna): Helping university graduates get their first gigs, and universities learn more about their graduates!

Zambia
Bosso (e-commerce/construction, Chisepo Chirwa, Salwa Shamapande): Building a platform to make building houses simpler and cheaper!
AfriOnline Group (e-commerce/delivery, Afshon Wallace): Started from deliveries, now we’re here! An integrated platform that allows customers to order from restaurants, supermarkets, and Wholesale!

Starting next month, all 6 winners will:
1. Go through a custom-made Investment Readiness Support Program (IRSP)
2. Fly to Tokyo for a 1-week roadshow (details to come). 🛫
3. Receive a $20,000 grant from the UNDP Startup Challenge Fund. 💵

The “Meet the Tôshikas” program, launched by UNDP through its Africa Sustainable Finance Hub (ASFH) with support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), began with applications from 256 startups. After a rigorous selection process involving desk research, interviews, field visits, ecosystem events, and a 3-week Bootcamp, the program aims to foster investment readiness and attract venture capital to Africa.

UNDP, designed and implemented the program and was supported by Double Feather Partners, in collaboration with Japan-based VCs—SAMURAI INCUBATE INC., TSI Japan, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, and local accelerators Acelera Angola, GrindstoneXL (South Africa), BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub (Zambia).

A huge thank you to all the Top 30 startups that made it to the Bootcamp phase, and congratulations to the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub Top 6 winners! We’re excited to support you on this incredible journey!

Stay tuned for more info and updates:https://www.undp.org/africa/press-release-undp-meet-toshikas-top-6-annoucement