Their flagship event may not be until September, but DEMO Africa is already busy scouting, teaching and training startups in its tour of 16 African nations.

In an effort to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and developers in Africa, Microsoft is offering financial support to five of the continent's brightest startups. Under the 4Afrika initiative, the American Goliath will act as both financial backer and entrepreneurial mentor to a fortunate handful of David enterprises.