The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, operated by tech incubator ALX Ventures, was designed to identify early-stage startups capable of shaping the future of sport and entertainment on the continent. Out of more than 700 applicants from across Africa, HustleSasa was shortlisted among the final 10 to participate in an intensive mentorship program.
The program focused on five key pillars:
HustleSasa entered the arena as a "unified commerce and ticketing platform," solving a critical pain point in the African market: the fragmentation of event management. By offering real-time dashboards, local currency processing, and seamless access control, HustleSasa proved it wasn't just a utility—it was a growth engine for creators.
Their performance during the program culminated in a prestigious Demo Day at the NBA headquarters in New York City. After pitching to a panel of global industry leaders, HustleSasa secured third place, walking away with a $30,000 cash prize and an additional $30,000 in value-in-kind support.
For HustleSasa, the accelerator wasn't just about the prize money. It was a validation of their mission to build the "operating system" for Africa’s live entertainment and sports economy. As noted in their reflections on the program, the experience provided:
Today, HustleSasa is using the momentum from the Triple-Double Accelerator to scale its vertically integrated platform. From ticketing for the biggest festivals to pioneering licensed MMA in East Africa through ANZA MMA, they are living out the "triple-double" ethos—mastering technology, commerce, and culture all at once.
As NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi remarked, startups like HustleSasa are "demonstrating the creativity, drive, and determination to shape the future of sport in Africa". For HustleSasa, the buzzer hasn't sounded; the game is just beginning.
