Startups from Morocco and Egypt have secured top honours at the 2025 NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, an initiative powered by ALX Ventures to scale emerging African entrepreneurs. Morocco’s Reborn clinched first place, while Egypt’s Fitclan and Athlon Technology secured second and third place, respectively, underscoring the region’s growing influence in the sports technology and creative industries.
A Continental Stage For MENA Innovators
The accelerator program culminated in a live Demo Day in Kigali, Rwanda, where ten finalists, selected from over 700 applications across 32 African countries, pitched to a panel of international industry leaders. The three-month journey provided the founders with intensive training, global mentorship, and strategic clarity to prepare them for continental and global scaling.
The event, held in partnership with NBA Africa, ServiceNow, OpenAI, and Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa), offered significant visibility and opened pathways for investment conversations and strategic partnerships for the participating startups.
The Winning Pitches
The standout MENA startups were awarded significant cash prizes and support packages. Along with cash, the top five finalists earned a spot in CMU-Africa’s 12-month Business Incubation Program, valued at up to $70,000. The top three also received $10,000 in OpenAI API credits and an immersion day at OpenAI’s headquarters.
1st Place: Reborn (Morocco) took home $25,000 for its platform offering comprehensive performance indicators that provide athletes with deep insights into their physical condition and on-field performance.
2nd Place: Fitclan (Egypt) was awarded $15,000. The startup operates a digital fitness hub that utilizes a flexible subscription model for both individual and corporate clients.
3rd Place: Athlon Technology (Egypt) received $5,000 for its user-friendly solution that leverages accessible mobile technology and AI to provide video analysis for amateur and budget-constrained sports teams.
Building A Pan-African Innovation Pipeline
The accelerator highlights a broader commitment to fostering a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation and economic empowerment across the continent. Program alumni are already securing capital, entering new markets, and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“This year’s cohort reflects the determination, creativity, and global competitiveness of Africa’s next generation of builders,” said Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of ALX. “When founders succeed, they hire, they inspire, and they strengthen the ecosystem. This is how sustainable entrepreneurial growth is built across the continent.”
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, echoed this sentiment. “We continue to be amazed by the creative, talented and passionate entrepreneurs who participate in NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator. The support they receive from this program will help them scale their products and make a lasting impact on the continent and globally.”
Speaking at the Demo Day, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT & Innovation, Honourable Paula Ingabire, noted the growing intersection of technology and sport in creating new economic opportunities, stating, “sports is no longer what happens on the court; it is how we are integrating technology to make sure it is an immersive experience that fuels Africa’s innovation economy.”
About The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator
Now in its second year, the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator is a program run by ALX Ventures in partnership with NBA Africa. It is designed to build a connected pipeline of African innovators by equipping them with the skills, networks, and resources to scale transformative ventures in the creative and sports technology sectors. The initiative aims to support ventures capable of shaping Africa’s future and competing on the global stage.
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