Welcome to another edition of HackerNoon Startups of the Week, where we spotlight the top nominees and winners of the Startups of the Year 2024. This week, we’re thrilled to feature three exciting companies from Africa: iKonnect, transforming digital opportunities for businesses; Sakah, Kenya’s premier online marketplace; and AppNomu, empowering entrepreneurs and enterprises with affordable premium digital solutions. Let’s dive in!
Meet iKonnect
iKonnect, based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is an innovative IT company that recently shined in HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 flagship event. Nominated in Software Development, SaaS, and IT Services, they also won the award in their region.
The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including digital transformation, website and mobile app development, digital marketing, data analysis, and AI solutions.
“At iKonnect, we understand that every business is unique, with specific needs to succeed in the digital age. That’s why we offer tailored services designed to help you take full advantage of digital opportunities.”
From optimizing online presence to guiding businesses through their digital journey, iKonnect is a trusted partner for growth and innovation in Ivory Coast.
Meet Sakah
Next up is Sakah, a standout from Nairobi, Kenya, and the winner of HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 in the region.
Sakah is more than a marketing company—it’s Kenya’s premier online marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers across a wide range of categories including services, property, stores, and vehicle dealerships. Their impact spans across industries, offering a digital-first platform that makes commerce more accessible and efficient.
Nominated in Marketing, Creative Agency, and Media Production, Sakah is redefining how local businesses and customers connect in Kenya’s fast-growing digital economy.
Meet AppNomu
Last but not least, AppNomu from Kampala, Uganda, brings a strong mission: to connect, transform, and digitize the way businesses use technology. They were nominated in Messaging & Communications, IT Services, and Blogging, and proudly won the Startups of The Year 2024 award for Kampala.
AppNomu specializes in website hosting, design, application development, and content marketing. Their approach combines affordability with premium quality, supporting thousands of clients globally—from entrepreneurs to large enterprises.
“Our mission is to equip businesses with digital tools to engage with clients, sell, and interact effectively online.”
With services spanning hosting, PPC, and UX-focused software, AppNomu is the backbone of digital success for many African businesses striving to thrive in the online space.
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Startups of The Year 2024 is HackerNoon’s flagship community-driven event celebrating startups, technology, and the spirit of innovation. Currently in its third iteration, the prestigious Internet award recognizes and celebrates tech startups of all shapes and sizes. This year, over 150,000 entities across 4200+ cities, 6 continents, and 100+ industries will participate in a bid to be crowned the best startup of the year! Millions of votes have been cast over the past few years, and many stories have been written about these daring and rising startups.
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