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! HackerNoon Startups of the Week iKonnect Sakah AppNomu 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. iKonnect HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 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 the winner 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 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. Want to be featured on HackerNoon’s Startups of the Week? Share your startup's story with our Business Blogging Program! What's Business Blogging? What's Business Blogging? HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program is one of the many ways we help brands grow their reach and connect with the right audience. This program lets businesses publish content directly on HackerNoon to boost brand awareness and build SEO authority by tapping into ours. HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program many ways With Business Blogging, You Get: With Business Blogging, You Get: Full editorial support to make your story shineMultiple permanent placements on HackerNoon and social media promotionsStories converted into audio format and distributed via audio RSS feedsAutomatic translation into 12 languages for global reachYour brand also gains domain authority and SEO Full editorial support to make your story shine Full editorial support Multiple permanent placements on HackerNoon and social media promotions Multiple permanent placements Stories converted into audio format and distributed via audio RSS feeds audio format Automatic translation into 12 languages for global reach Automatic translation into 12 languages Automatic translation into 12 languages Your brand also gains domain authority and SEO Share Your Startup's Story Today! Share Your Startup's Story Today! Share Your Startup's Story Today! About HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 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. Startups of The Year 2024 many stories The winners will get a free interview on HackerNoon and an Evergreen Tech Company News page. free interview Evergreen Tech Company News Visit our FAQ page to learn more. FAQ Download our design assets here. here Check out the Startups of the Year Merch Shop here. here