The buzz around blockchain in Africa just hit a new high with the Based Founders Fellowship Demo Day, broadcast live from Nairobi, Kenya. If you're into web3 or just curious about how crypto is transforming emerging markets, this event was a must-watch. Organized by UTU and sponsored by Base—that's the layer-2 blockchain built by Coinbase—the fellowship brought together 20 talented founders for an intensive 10-day program focused on scaling onchain ventures.

For those new to the term, "onchain" simply means activities and data that happen directly on the blockchain, like transactions or smart contracts, making everything transparent and tamper-proof. The program, which ran earlier in September, aimed to equip these builders with the tools, mentorship, and connections needed to grow their projects. And the grand finale? A high-stakes Demo Day where founders pitched to heavyweight VCs like a16z Crypto, Electric Capital, 1confirmation, and Lava. We're talking real-time commits or passes— no waiting around for email responses.

From cross-border payments to creator economies, the projects on display highlighted practical use cases for blockchain in Africa. Take Ribh Finance, for example—they're streamlining payments across African borders, having already processed over $13 million. That's huge in a region where traditional banking can be slow and costly. Another standout was _Minisend, making onchain earnings spendable for creators on platforms like Base and Farcaster. Imagine earning crypto from your memes or content and instantly using it in the real world— that's the kind of innovation that could supercharge Africa's creator economy, including the booming meme token scene.

The fellowship wasn't just about pitches; it fostered real results. Over the 10 days, founders brokered 30 partnership deals and intros, with one already securing fresh capital. Plus, the best pitch won an all-expenses-paid spot at Balaji Srinivasan's Network School—a golden ticket for any builder looking to level up.

What makes this event particularly exciting for meme token enthusiasts? While not all projects were meme-focused, the onchain foundation opens doors for viral, community-driven tokens. Africa's growing web3 community is ripe for meme coins that solve local problems, like rewarding loyalty or enabling micro-transactions in informal economies. Events like this fellowship are building the infrastructure to make that happen.

If you missed the live stream, check out the recording on X or follow Based East Africa for updates. This is just the start—Africa's onchain revolution is heating up, and programs like the Based Founders Fellowship are leading the charge. Stay tuned for more as these founders turn their demos into deployed realities.