Innovation Without Limits at AwardX East Africa

A Bold Step into East Africa

Following the success of its inaugural AwardX International competition, LaunchX expanded its footprint with a regional edition: AwardX East Africa. As the first time LaunchX brought this initiative to the continent, the expectations were open, but the results were extraordinary. With over 200 applications from high school students across the region, it quickly became clear that East Africa was ready to lead.

From Ideas to Impact

After narrowing the pool to ten incredible finalists, the energy reached a peak on Demo Day. Students pitched live in front of a panel of seasoned judges, including venture capitalists and even a lioness from Kenya’s Lions’ Den. These weren’t just school projects—they were real-world innovations built to scale.

Forest Richter, President of LaunchX, noted, “This event was amplified by East Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. From our alumni to the judges, everyone stepped up. Innovation can come from anywhere—and East Africa is bursting with it.”

Meet LIBBLIO: The Winning Team

Rwanda’s LIBBLIO won the competition with a tech-forward solution that digitizes library systems for improved efficiency. Axel and Andy, the founders, shared how the experience challenged them: “We learned the value of telling a compelling story, of pitching the ‘why’ behind the tech.” They even submitted their final pitch just three minutes before the deadline, with voice and video syncing perfectly—a high-stakes moment they’ll never forget. Watch their reaction here!

Wisdom from Within

Salah Osman, LaunchX alum and AwardX East Africa leader, saw more than just potential in the students: “These weren’t high schoolers. These were entrepreneurs. Their ideas weren’t limited by age—they were bold, impactful, and ready to change the world.”

This sentiment was echoed by judges like Olive Gachara and Pascal Murasira, who were struck by the polish and clarity of the student pitches: “The way they communicate their ideas—it’s really impressive.”

Innovation with Heart

Other standout teams included 3D Cure, which creates 3D-printed medical casts for children in need. Founder Eunchan Hwang shared, “AwardX taught me that innovation isn’t just about tech—it’s about empathy. That’s what really connects with people.”

As Rachel K Zhang, another LaunchX alum and co-leader of the competition, put it: “The engagement blew me away. The passion, the impact, the energy—it was all unforgettable.”

What’s Next: AwardX Social Impact

With so many of the pitches centered around real-world change, it’s no surprise that the next evolution of this competition is already on the horizon. LaunchX is now preparing for AwardX Social Impact, a competition dedicated to startups that prioritize people, planet, and purpose.

If AwardX East Africa is any indication, the next generation of global entrepreneurs is not only ready to lead—they’re ready to make lasting change.