Hanga Pitchfest was introduced in 2021 as a tech start-up pitching competition designed to ignite and inspire innovation. It has since evolved into the largest in-person technology event, based on significant funding provided to winners and high-profile status.

The 2023 edition, which concluded early this month, witnessed Cynthia Umutoniwabo, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder at Loopa, securing Rwf 50 million for her startup’s climate tech innovation, among other prizes.

Additionally, four other winners were recognised for their innovative solutions, while those that emerged top 45 in the competition will be enrolled in Aguka, a programme aimed at unleashing the potential of youth-led businesses in Rwanda.

ALSO READ: Rwandan climate tech startup wins innovator of the year prize

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda Development Board, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund, this year&039;s Hanga Pitchfest marked significant growth, with new collaborations established.

Those include a partnership with Unleash, a global innovation platform, which brought together 1,000 youth from various parts of the world to participate in a week-long innovation lab hosted in Kigali.

The best innovations were awarded during the event. The introduction of the Hanga Pitchfest SRH programme, which aims to explore the opportunity that exists for technology enabled startups to solve key issues in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) to accelerate better outcomes, further underscored the event's expansion.

ALSO READ: Unleash Global Innovation Lab for SDGs kicks off in Kigali

However, amidst the excitement, questions arise about the winners of previous editions and their progress. Did they manage to navigate the ecosystem and thrive? The New Times interviewed some of them and gathered updates.

Diane Cyuzuzo, the CEO of Afriduino, emerged as the overall winner in the inaugural edition of Hanga Pitchfest. Her company secured a prize of USD 50 million after presenting their solution that involves integrating Rwandan cultural tools into functional devices through smartphone technology.

ALSO READ: Hanga Pitchfest: Kagame awards Cyuzuzo as innovator of the year

She said the funds allowed for their workplace expansion, product enhancement, and quality improvement.

"It really improved our quality of living and contributed to the growth of our company. People are buying our products, and they are happy. We can now create customised light bulbs tailored to their preferences, and we can also provide suggestions based on the specific locations where they intend to use them," she said.

Cyuzuzo noted that Afriduino has also embarked on the development of innovative products, including smart speakers, and have introduced new smart bulbs that offer versatile control options through switches, apps, and voice commands, allowing users to alter moods, colours, and perform various other functions.

The company has illuminated different facilities, particularly in the hospitality sector, as well as residential houses, according to Cyuzuzo.

Highlighting the company's expansion, Cyuzuzo noted an increase in the number of employees, now standing at 10 permanent staff, and a boost in production capacity. She attributed the growth to their participation in the Hanga Pitchfest, securing a one-year contract with Business Professionals Network (BPN).

Regarding challenges, Diane acknowledged difficulties in reaching a larger audience and some clients facing usability issues initially. However, she highlighted progress with the evolving understanding of their products among customers.

Looking forward, Afriduino plans developing portable light bulbs ornamented by African patterns with sensors, cameras, and rechargeable options, to expand their market beyond Rwanda.

Peace Ndoli, the CEO of Lifesten Health, won the second edition of Hanga Pitchfest. Her award-winning project is an innovative wellness platform dedicated to transforming lives through comprehensive health solutions.

She said that winning the prize opened doors for partnerships, especially with government institutions, and helped her startup to improve the product and scale.

"It put us on the map in the startup ecosystem, which was really helpful in terms of creating visibility for our company," said Ndoli. "We are now participating in conversations we weren't part of before.”

ALSO READ: Peace Ndoli is Rwanda’s innovator of the year

Lifesten Health&039;s impact included reaching 80,000 people in Kigali with plans to expand to other districts. Their team also grew from seven to 15 members, with 58 agents actively involved in screening for non-communicable diseases, according to Ndoli.

The health tech startup also introduced new features on their platform, such as blood pressure remote screening, and formed partnerships with health facilities.

ALSO READ: How wellness start-up strives to help people take control of their lives

Ndoli said that however, they still face challenges related to navigating regulatory hurdles due to the sensitivity in the healthcare sector as well as customer acquisition.

"Securing government approvals to fully function and get the credibility we need has been a challenge for us a health tech startup. In terms of customer acquisition, the challenge is that it takes time for people to warm up to a new product," she explained.

Despite the challenges, Lifesten Health has explored expansion to foreign markets, including engagements with health institutions in Kenya as well as the NCD Alliance.

Lifesten health alsp scooped USD 250,000 in cash prize during HealthTech Investor Summit that took place at Norrsken Kigali House on December 13.

ALSO READ: Rwanda’s innovator of the year wins $250,000 prize

Norman Mugisha, the CEO of Afrifarmers Market, who was the third winner in the first edition of Hanga Pitchfest. Their solution seeks to bridge the gap between rural and smallholder farmers and consumers in cities, helping to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security and poverty reduction across Sub-Saharan Africa.

ALSO READ: Five Rwandan innovators selected for $100,000 pitch contest

Mugisha highlighted several key areas of impact following securing USD 15,000 in Hanga Pitchfest, including mentorship, business management training as well as a platform for networking with investors and other opportunities.

"I remember we had only one branch when we won. Now we have a second branch and are opening a third branch. The number of employees has also increased from seven to 40. By then, we were working with 2,000 farmers and now we have more than 7,000," he said.

The need for more awareness about agri-farming opportunities and dealing with climate change affecting the farmers they work with are some of the hurdles that Afrifarmers Market still face.

Despite that, Mugisha said the company has experienced substantial revenue growth, surpassing tenfold since its inception.

He also shared insights into his personal growth as a CEO, emphasising the learning curve in managing a growing team, handling sales, and balancing various responsibilities.