Cedrick Mupenzi of Sinc Today bags Rwf50m prize in Hanga PitchFest

Cedrick Mupenzi, the founder of the startup company Sinc Today, emerged as the grand prize winner at the 2024 Hanga PitchFest, securing Rwf50 million on Sunday, November 10, during the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Kigali. Sinc Today aims to revolutionize Africa's events industry with an all-in-one platform that simplifies event discovery, ticket purchasing, and offers data insights to organizers. Mupenzi received the award from Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente and Ahunna Eziakonwa, the Director of the United Nation Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa. ALSO READ: Former Hanga PitchFest winner shares tips for 2024 contestants The second place was secured by Aline Nicole Uwamariya, the founder of Geuza, who received Rwf20 million for the initiative focused on producing affordable assistive devices for people with disabilities and the elderly. Third place came Cedric Irambona of Afya Wave, who received Rwf15 million. Irambona’s initiative aims to provide life-saving maternal health services, specifically ultrasounds, to remote communities. In the fourth place came Ewuket Tsegaw Alemayhu of Clenville, who was awarded Rwf12.5 million. Clenville aims to innovate waste management through smart technology and incentive-based solutions. Sandrine Uwurukundo, founder of Lifeline Initiative, came fifth receiving Rwf12.5 million. The company’s mission is to make essential medications affordable and accessible across Africa. ALSO READ: A look at Hanga Pitchfest progress through the eyes of past winners Hanga PitchFest is organized by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, with the Ministry of Youth and Arts and other partners. Prime Minister Ngirente said the Rwandan government remains committed to investing in young people’s innovative solutions that create jobs and contribute to economic growth. “We have decided to put our young people at the forefront to achieve the economic development all Rwandans deserve,” Ngirente said. “Today marks the end of the fourth edition of Hanga PitchFest. Since its inception, this platform has played a key role in entrepreneurship and innovation to drive Rwanda towards a knowledge-based economy.” The Prime Minister congratulated the finalists, and promised the government’s continued support to their initiatives. “Keep on believing in yourselves and refining your ideas and projects with the aim to succeed,” Ngirente told the winners. According to the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Hanga PitchFest has supported 135 startups, offering valuable networking and grants that have enabled them to scale. Up to 88 per cent of the startups supported through the initiative are still operational, creating jobs and providing solutions in various sectors including agriculture and healthcare.

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Cedrick Mupenzi of Sinc Today bags Rwf50m prize in Hanga PitchFest