A Nigerian fintech, Okra, was yesterday admitted into the 100 innovative tech firms’ Technology Pioneers Community, by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
In a statement issued in San Francisco, USA, the Forum said the 2022 cohort is full of young and growing tech companies that are forging new paths in healthcare, food production, financial services and metaverse with cutting-edge technologies.
WEF also said these firms are focused on solving some of the world’s most pressing issues such as climate change, cybersecurity and more, citing that this year’s intake includes Emerge, which is improving virtual interactions through the development of a device with tactile effects for users at virtual gatherings.
While Ampd Energy is reshaping the construction industry by pioneering battery energy storage systems, Alife is supporting healthcare advances by using artificial intelligence to improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Among the 100 firms are five companies in Africa, with the majority from different regions of the word including Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and three from Middle East and North Africa.
By joining this community these emerging tech leaders can continue to show not only the impressive tech advancements within their firms but also how their companies are helping to build a better future for us all.
Also, for the first time, over one-third of the selected firms are led by women, well above the industry average. With 2022 Tech Pioneers based in 30 countries – with Viet Nam, Rwanda and the Czech Republic represented for the first time – this year’s cohort is shaping industries around the world.
“The 2022 cohort of Technology Pioneers is already bringing great changes to industries around the world,” said Saemoon Yoon, Technology Pioneers Community Lead, World Economic Forum.
“By joining this community these emerging tech leaders can continue to show not only the impressive tech advancements within their firms but also how their companies are helping to build a better future for us all.”
Following their selection as Technology Pioneers, this year’s companies drawn from 30 countries will join an impressive group of alumni that include many household names, such as Airbnb, Google, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Spotify, TransferWise, Twitter and Wikimedia.
The 2022 cohort will also be invited to participate in World Economic Forum workshops and events and high-level discussions during their two years in the community, WEF added.
Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer Community comprises early-to-growth-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations and are poised to make a significant impact on business and society.
