The intersection of technology, sport, and entertainment in Africa just got a massive $70,000 boost. The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, a powerful initiative dedicated to supercharging the continent’s tech ecosystem, has recognized five pioneering startups in its second-annual cohort, providing them with crucial funding and unparalleled access to global innovation networks.
This league-backed program is not just writing checks; it’s cultivating the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are using cutting-edge tools—from AI-powered analytics to blockchain investment platforms—to redefine their industries.
The Starting Five: Meet the Winning Innovators
Out of more than 700 applications spanning 32 African countries, only ten finalists made it to the prestigious Demo Day in Kigali, Rwanda, at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa). The top five, including two dynamic ventures from Nigeria, are now positioned to scale their groundbreaking concepts:
| Company | Country | Core Innovation | Prize Highlights |
| Reborn | Morocco | Advanced performance metrics and athlete insight | Top Cash Prize + OpenAI Immersion Day |
| Fitclan | Egypt | Digital fitness hub and flexible subscription model | Significant Cash Prize + OpenAI Immersion Day |
| Athlon Technology | Egypt | Mobile-first, AI video analysis for amateur teams | Cash Prize + OpenAI Immersion Day |
| Atsur | Nigeria | Blockchain-powered art investment and community support | Cash Prize + CMU-Africa Incubation |
| Songdis | Nigeria | Digital distribution and services for independent African musicians | Cash Prize + CMU-Africa Incubation |
The Power-Up: Incubating Global Scale
The financial awards, which ranged from $2,500 to $25,000 in cash, are just the beginning of the journey. A key component of the prize package is the opportunity for all five winners to enter CMU-Africa’s 12-month Business Incubation Program at its Innovation Hub. This program, valued at up to $70,000 per company, is designed to transform initial ideas and prototypes into scalable, market-ready products.
Furthermore, the top three finishers—Reborn, Fitclan, and Athlon Technology—are receiving an unprecedented level of support from a global AI leader:
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$10,000 in API Credits for the OpenAI platform.
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An exclusive Immersion Day with the OpenAI engineering team at their headquarters.
Vision for a Connected Continent
The finalists showcased their work to a distinguished panel of international judges, including Dr. Conrad Tucker (CMU-Africa Director), Emmanuel Lubanzadio (OpenAI Africa Lead), and Cheick Camara (ServiceNow Africa VP). The event itself was a testament to pan-African collaboration, supported by CMU-Africa, ServiceNow, and OpenAI, with ALX Ventures serving as the program’s Official Operating Partner for the second consecutive year.
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, praised the sheer ingenuity on display. “We are consistently impressed by the creative fire and talent demonstrated by the entrepreneurs in our Triple-Double Accelerator,” she noted. “The winning companies stood out for their bold solutions that are literally shaping the future of sport and entertainment in Africa. Our support will help them accelerate their products and generate a significant, lasting impact, both here and globally.”
The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator is cementing its role as a vital launchpad, equipping tech innovators with the resources, connections, and expertise required to transition from promising ideas to influential, continent-shaping enterprises.
