While it may still be early days for Norway's tech startup scene, a live equity crowdfunding event has smashed all expectations, showing that the country is clearly fostering one of the most vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region.

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.

Norway is not an easy country for startups. Unless, of course, you are focused on the lucrative oil and gas industry. In fact, the burgeoning fuel industry has the tendency to suck up the vast majority of the region's available venture capital, leaving tech startups to fend for themselves or seek funds from abroad.

Creandum, a venture capital firm that specialises in innovative tech companies and an early investor in Spotify, has spotted the huge growth potential of Denmark's Planday – a plucky young startup specialising in the as yet untapped market of employee shift planning. Not one to invest lightly, Creandum has backed the startup to the tune of $3.75million, giving it a sizeable war chest with which to expand abroad.

Nam Mokwunye's online and mobile social video marketplace has one sole aim: to capitalise on the creativity and cachet of the $5.1bn Nollywood market, and take Nigerian content global.

The Nairobi-based Savannah Fund has accepted three more tech startups into its accelerator class. The latest entrants, Zevan Limited from Kenya, Ghana's BIGxGh and Nigeria's UniSmart, take the tally of supported companies to 13 in just a few years.

Onyx Display Media's interactive, HD, stand-alone or fridge-fitted display solution Onyx-Glass will be part of Intel's stand at international vending trade show Venditalia.

Most people in sub-Saharan Africa may not have a computer, but 60% of them (and rising) have phones: and Sterio.me is using them to empower African education systems.

A community group based in Lome, the capital of Togo in West Africa, has produced a $200 3D printer built from discarded electronic components.

Poland is a shining example of how to create a startup ecosystem from scratch. Like its booming economy, the tech startup sector is growing apace, providing an exciting, well-resourced playground for young Davids to find their feet and make their name.