Africa’s Challenges Are Tech Startups’ Opportunities

NAIROBI, Kenya—About a year ago, a nationwide blackout and accompanying power surge sent a jolt of electricity through this city’s grid that fried computers and other electronic devices. What was a catastrophe for many companies here presented an opportunity for another.

Nairobi-based BRCK Inc. is about to release a surge-resistant, battery-powered router that can access data via cellular connections, in the latest example of local technology companies coming up with new commercial products specifically designed to address African problems.

“We said, ‘What if we had a device that when the power went out, it kicked in?'” said Philip Walton, BRCK’s 40-year old American co-founder, when describing the brick-sized router, which founders dubbed the “backup generator for the Internet.” BRCK will ship its first 700 units next week.

Like other startups in Nairobi, BRCK is betting the future of technology innovation is on the African continent—and that there is money… (READ MORE HERE)