Two Kenyan startups are among this year’s Times Magazine list of 50 genius companies which had five African companies making it to the prestigious list.
ONA
Kenyan based ONA which loosely translate to see is a company which focuses on solving public health and social sector challenges through technology and was among the five African companies selected for this year’s list.
The company uses mapping and data technologies from mobile survey platform. ONA builds mobile apps such as OpenSRP, which helps front line health workers deliver services more effectively to rural families.
BRCK
The other Kenyan start-up to make it to the famous list was Kenya’s BRCK Inc, the developers of a mobile battery-powered WiFi modem, that boost internet access and connectivity.
BRCK’s product line has grown over the past years to include portable educational kits with cached content, a larger modem that can provide 3G internet to up to 100 devices and a free public WiFi system.
According to ONA Chief Executive Officer Matt Berg, as a young company coming up on our five-year anniversary, this was an incredible honor.
“I looked at the list and recognized most of the names on it, so it’s a great affirmation that we’re pushing in the right direction and making an impact.” He said.
According to the magazine, the list was assembled through the company’s global network of editors and correspondents who nominate businesses that are inventing the future, which were later evaluated on key factors, including originality, influence, success and ambition.
Other African companies included Nigeria’s Babymigo, a start-up that provides an online community of expecting mothers with pregnancy-related information and connects them with local medical services and personnel, South Africa’s AgriProtein and Ghana’s Bitland which use block chain technology to help locals create records of land purchases and ownership in partnership with local authorities.
