Pando DAO, a community of top African tech founders, has officially launched with the goal of accelerating Africa’s startup ecosystem and driving development throughout the continent. The community also announced that it has become an official community partner of Silicon Zanzibar, a government initiative launched earlier this year with the goal of transforming the island into a hub for tech talent and companies.
This year, several African companies, including Kune, Sendy, and Capiter, have faced challenges such as financial constraints, an inadequate product-market fit, and operational challenges. These African founders have joined forces to launch Pando DAO with a mission to speed up Africa’s startup ecosystem and drive development across the continent.
Over 50 founders and early builders from startups across Africa are founding members of the community, including the founders of mPharma, Wasoko, Pariti, SunCulture, Africa Health Holdings, Stitch, Marketforce, 54Gene, Mara, VertoFX, Turaco, Raise, Carry1st, Jetstream, and others. These founders represent companies worth more than $2 billion and have raised more than $500 million in capital. Over 10,000 people are employed by Pando member companies across 15 African countries.
The CEO and co-founder of Pariti and a founding member of Pando DAO, Yacob Berhane speaking about the launch of the partnership said “We are thrilled to be partnering with the government of Zanzibar on this initiative. We believe that through this partnership, we will be able to drive the tech ecosystem in Africa forward, with Zanzibar serving as a key part of that story by attracting tech companies and talent, and developing homegrown companies and talent as well.”
Mudrick Soraga, Zanzibar’s Minister of Investment and Economic Development, stated, “We are excited to officially partner with Pando to co-create the policies and initiatives that will transform Zanzibar’s economy. Working with Pando DAO presents us an opportunity to work side-by-side with the leading players in the African tech ecosystem.”
Pando DAO is only accepting founders who have raised more than $2 million to join its mission to accelerate the African tech ecosystem, in order to solidify its claim as the continent’s strongest and most impactful founder community.
