The World Economic Forum announces selection of the 100 most promising Technology Pioneers, companies that are tackling such issues as sustainability, climate change and healthcare.
Vendease, a digital platform that revolutionizes restaurant procurement in Africa, is among the winners.
This year’s cohort includes representation from 31 economies on six continents.
The full list of Technology Pioneers can be viewed here.
Lagos, Nigeria, 21 June 2023 – Vendease, a digital platform that allows restaurants in Africa to buy food supplies, access financial services and power their business operations, was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forum’s “Technology Pioneers”.
The startup, led by Tunde Kara, Olumide Fayankin, Gatumi Aliyu and Wale Oyepeju, revolutionizes restaurant procurement, financial services and business operations in Africa. The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers are early-stage companies that are at the forefront of new technologies and innovation and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society.
“We’re excited to welcome Vendease to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers,” said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. “Vendease and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of innovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world’s most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the Forum’s content work that brings together the public and private sectors to tackle these global issues.
As a Technology Pioneer, Vendease CEO Tunde Kara will be invited to engage with the World Economic Forum, working with global leaders to help address key industry and societal issues. Technology Pioneers will also be invited to join Forum events and discussions throughout the year, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector.
“We are honored and excited to join the prestigious World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer community. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to solving pressing challenges in the African food sector, particularly in the areas of food waste reduction and product innovation across the demand and supply sides of the food services ecosystem.” said Kara. “Joining the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer community enables us to collaborate with like-minded pioneers, thought leaders and policymakers who share our vision of building a more resilient and equitable food ecosystem.”
This year’s Technology Pioneer cohort includes startups from 31 economies, with a third led by a woman chief executive. China has the second highest representation with 12 Technology Pioneers, behind the US with 29 companies.
More information on this year’s Technology Pioneers can be found here.
More information on past winners, information on the community and the application link can be found here.
About Vendease
Vendease is a food tech with the mission to help food businesses grow with its innovative digital platform. Founded in 2020, Vendease aims to revolutionize the way restaurants in Nigeria and across Africa procure supplies, access financial services, and streamline their business operations.
Through the strategic and innovative use of intelligent data, Vendease enables restaurants to access working capital, manage cash flow and facilitate digital payments. Vendease also provides a range of business operations support. The platform offers features such as inventory management, sales analytics and customer relationship management tools. These functionalities empower restaurant owners to make data-driven decisions, track performance, and optimize their operations for increased efficiency and profitability.
About the World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org)
About the Technology Pioneers Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneer community is composed of early-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. The World Economic Forum provides the community with a platform to engage with public and private sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency.
The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world’s leading global startups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.
