Cameroonian healthtech startup Waspito has become the first African company to win the top prize in the Rocket Fuel startup competition at LEAP, taking home $250,000 in equity-free funding.
Waspito emerged as the overall winner at LEAP 2026, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after competing against startups from around the world.
The fifth edition of the Rocket Fuel competition ran from August 31 to September 3, with 100 startups selected to pitch for a share of a $1m equity-free prize fund across seven categories. Ten startups reached the final stage before the winners were announced.
Waspito’s victory marks the first time an African startup has won the competition’s Grand LEAP Award in its five editions.
The company was founded in 2020 by Cameroonian entrepreneur Jean Lobe Lobe and operates a digital healthcare platform that connects patients with doctors and other healthcare providers.
Through its platform, users can access instant video consultations with doctors from their smartphones. Waspito also provides mobile laboratory services, allowing technicians to collect samples from patients at home and deliver test results digitally.
The company has expanded beyond Cameroon into Côte d’Ivoire and has been developing a broader healthcare platform that connects patients, doctors, laboratories and other providers.
Waspito currently says its platform reaches about 1.1 million patients, 2,100 doctors and more than 500 healthcare providers across Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
The startup has also attracted millions of dollars in private investment as it expands its operations.
In 2022, Waspito raised $2.7m in seed funding from investors including Launch Africa Ventures, Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, Orange Ventures and others.
It followed that with a $2.5m seed extension in 2023 backed by DP World through Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, AAIC Investment, Axian Ventures and CFAO’s Health54. The additional funding brought its total seed funding to about $5.2m.
The company had previously outlined plans to expand its healthcare services across Francophone Africa, including potential expansion into Senegal and Gabon.
Waspito’s approach goes beyond conventional telemedicine by linking online consultations with physical healthcare services.
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In its earlier expansion, the company developed a hybrid model involving healthcare facilities and partner laboratories to serve patients who may not have reliable access to smartphones or the internet.
The $250,000 LEAP prize is non-dilutive, meaning Waspito receives the funding without giving up equity in the company.
The Rocket Fuel competition is a major part of LEAP’s startup programme, which is designed for founders building high-growth technology companies. This year’s 100 participating startups competed across seven award categories, with the combined prize money reaching $1m.
Waspito’s win adds to the company’s recent recognition as it seeks to expand digital access to healthcare across African markets.
The achievement also places the Cameroonian startup among a growing group of African technology companies attracting international attention for solutions targeting healthcare access and delivery.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
