Eight African Ventures Selected as ASME ISHOW Regional Finalists

Eight African social ventures have been selected as regional finalists for the 2026 ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW), an international hardware accelerator supporting technologies that address social and environmental challenges. These ventures will compete for three places in the 2026 global ISHOW cohort. Successful finalists will receive grant funding, technical support and access to ASME’s engineering network to help develop their products and bring them to market.

ASME ISHOW Backs Hardware-Led Innovation

ASME ISHOW supports individuals and organisations developing physical products that improve quality of life and deliver social or environmental benefits. Each year, ASME selects up to 30 ventures and connects them with engineering experts. These specialists assess areas such as technological performance, environmental and cultural suitability, and financial sustainability. Since its launch, the programme has supported more than 250 startups from over 35 countries. Participating ventures have worked on challenges affecting vulnerable communities around the world.

Eight African Ventures Reach the Regional Final

The eight finalists are developing hardware solutions in areas ranging from healthcare and clean energy to agriculture, mobility and waste management. AISHA has developed an AI-powered voice assistant that runs on low-cost hardware and provides healthcare information to patients and healthcare workers in underserved communities. In the energy sector, BMTA&C Energy is developing solar-powered smart refrigeration technology, while Ecomobilus Technologies has developed the e-Mkoko, a solar-powered electric handcart. KilimoChills has also developed a solar-powered cold storage room to address agricultural storage challenges.

Agricultural technology also features through Kumva Insights, whose Farm Smarter Platform supports farmers. The remaining finalists include Orienta, with its HVAD technology; Team CannaSave, with its CannaSave system; and Yaaka Investment, which is developing a Yaaka E-waste recycling plant. Collectively, the ventures cover practical applications in healthcare, agriculture, energy, mobility and waste management, reflecting the range of hardware-led solutions being developed by African entrepreneurs.

Three Ventures Will Advance to the Global Cohort

Three of the eight finalists will secure places in the 2026 global ISHOW cohort. Successful ventures will gain access to ASME’s engineering network, technical support and grant funding as they refine their technologies and move towards commercialisation.