ALX Ethiopia Demo Day, held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Addis Ababa, brought together a dynamic group of emerging entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders for a full day of pitches, showcases and critical conversations. The event marked a major milestone for the ALX Founders Academy, with more than 30 ventures from current and past cohorts participating and over 10 startups pitching live for top honors and prizes.
From the moment doors opened, the energy was focused, purposeful and forward-looking. Startups presented ideas rooted in local realities, ranging from healthcare and agriculture to logistics, fintech and digital services. The common thread was a deep commitment to solving African challenges through scalable, tech-enabled solutions. Attendees had the opportunity to explore venture showcases, network with key ecosystem players and engage in thoughtful discussions on the future of innovation in Ethiopia.
Among the standout participants was MEFTEHE Healthcare, founded by Tamirat Teklu, a Hult National Coordinator. His startup was recognized as one of the top ventures of the day for its work in addressing healthcare access through smart and affordable solutions. His pitch stood out for its clarity, vision and practical impact.
Judges brought years of experience to the evaluation process and offered direct advice to the founders. Kidist G., Founder of Zero One Zero One Tech and Entrepreneurship, spoke on the emotional and financial demands of entrepreneurship, encouraging young innovators to stay grounded through the inevitable ups and downs. Abrhame Endrias, Managing Director of Lersha, advised founders not to overthink but to get their ideas into the market quickly and iterate based on real feedback. Selam Wondim, Founder of Gomida Solutions, emphasized discipline and speed, noting the limited availability of risk capital in Ethiopia and the importance of early customer validation.
A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion on the new Startup Act and what it means for founders in Ethiopia. Tsegamlak Solomon, Principal Attorney at TSA Law Office, outlined the process of official startup validation through the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. He stressed the importance of understanding the policy environment but cautioned founders not to shape their ventures solely around regulations. Other panelists included Jerusalem Berhanu of Renew Capital and Michael Addisu of First Consult and Nisir Microfinance Institution. They discussed financing options and how the Act could influence investment readiness in the coming years. The session was moderated by Dagmawi Bedilu Degefe, Co-founder and CSO of Efuye Gela, who guided the conversation with practical insights.
The afternoon saw contributions from respected names in Ethiopia’s tech and innovation ecosystem. Betelhem Dessie, CEO of iCog, Daniel Getachew of Guzo Technologies and Leoul Mekonnen of Hulugram participated in the judging and provided constructive feedback rooted in real market experience.
For many in the room, the Demo Day was more than a showcase. It was a reaffirmation that Ethiopia’s young entrepreneurs have the talent, ideas and resilience to lead. ALX Ethiopia, known for its fully sponsored, high-impact training programs, continues to play a vital role in shaping this future. By equipping young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills, ALX is not only preparing the next generation of leaders but also actively contributing to the country’s innovation economy.
As the day ended and conversations spilled into the evening, the message was clear. Ethiopia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is gaining momentum and ALX Ethiopia Demo Day has become one of its most important stages.
