About YASR
The Yale Africa Startup Review is a student and alumni-led initiative at Yale School of Management, dedicated to amplifying Africa's most innovative early-stage founders.
Sharing Stories of Ingenuity and Innovation
Our mission is to share stories of ingenuity and innovation to attract interested stakeholders to the African startup ecosystem. We believe that by shining a light on Africa's most promising founders, we can change global perceptions and unlock capital, talent, and partnerships for the continent.
Each year, we identify 30 early-stage ventures — the #YASR30 — that are co-founded or co-led by Africans, and operating in or serving the African market primarily. These startups represent the full breadth of Africa's innovation: from fintech in Lagos to agritech in Nairobi, from healthtech in Accra to logistics in Kigali.
Explore The 2025 List
Our Values
Pan-African Perspective
We celebrate startups from every corner of the African continent, ensuring geographic diversity in our annual selection.
Rigorous Diligence
Our editorial team applies a thorough evaluation process, assessing market opportunity, team quality, and innovation.
Ecosystem Building
Beyond recognition, we connect founders with investors, mentors, and resources that accelerate their growth.
Storytelling
We believe in the power of narrative to change perceptions of Africa's startup ecosystem on the global stage.
Six Years of Impact
Inaugural Edition
YASR launched its first annual review, identifying 30 early-stage African startups and hosting the inaugural conference at Yale.
Growing Reach
The second edition expanded nominations across 15+ African countries, with a growing panel of venture judges from leading African VC firms.
Pan-African Expansion
YASR introduced French-language nominations to better serve Francophone Africa, broadening geographic representation significantly.
Deepening Impact
The fourth edition featured the most competitive nomination process yet, with hundreds of submissions from across the continent.
Fifth Edition
The #YASR30 2025 list represents Africa's most diverse and innovative cohort yet, spanning fintech, agritech, healthtech, and more.
Sixth Edition
The #YASR30 2026 list is announced — 30 bold early-stage African startups shaping the future of the continent across 15+ countries and 10 sectors.
Be Part of the Story
Whether you're a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder — join us in amplifying Africa's most innovative startups.