Denis Opudo
After hosting a successful inaugural event in Nairobi in 2017, Startup Battlefield Africa is back again. Startup Battlefield Africa is a startup competition of TechCrunch that brings together the best startups in their early stages from Sub-Saharan Africa on the same floor to compete for $25,000 prize. TechCrunch company holds the competition in partnership with Facebook. The prize which is up for grab at the Disrupt Cup is no-equity cash. The startups also stand a chance of receiving support from investors.
The 2017 competition will be taking place in Lagos, Nigeria on 11th December. The startups will be showcasing their ideas in front of top judges and a live audience. The most promising startup in Sub-Saharan Africa will emerge the winner of the cash prize. Two startups will also win a trip to compete in Startup battlefield at flagship event of TechCrunch Disrupt in 2019. According to TechCrunch the tech scene in Africa has continued to grow at a higher rate since 2017 Startup Battlefield Africa. VC investment in Africa’s startups doubled between 2015 and 2017. They added that there is an increased committed VC for startups and accelerators in Africa. This includes $2.1 billion across not less than four funds.
TechCrunch added that there are over 300 tech hubs across Africa that are building, supporting and assembling innovators, mentors, and startups from Africa. The company is eager to take part in full covering the growing African sector. It is fully focused on seeing the growth and development of startup ecosystem. I know you are already asking yourself what you need and the process of applying for this great opportunity. Do not worry we will take you through the whole process. Startups with an urge to apply must fall into either of the three categories. The categories are social good, utility, and productivity, gaming and entertainment to take part. Each category will give out one startup to join the Battlefield Africa in the Kenyan Capital. The startups must possess the following characteristics;
- Should not possess known intellectual property conflict
- Should have got limited publicity up to now
- Should have a fully working product or beta, that is almost close to or already in production
- Be a resident of the TechCrunch’s eligible countries
- Should be an early stage startup
The participants will be chosen from the applicants by editors of TechCrunch who operates the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield competition. TechCrunch together with Facebook will select a total of four judges for every theme. The judges will be renowned technologists, investors and entrepreneurs will vast experience in the relevant category. Every startup will get five minutes to pitch with, and live demos will be strongly encouraged. Furthermore, judges will be given five minutes of asking questions. Let us have a look at every category.
Gaming and entertainment category; here the judges will pick startups that have products or services that stand a chance of being adopted by a wide range of consumers. The product or service should also have either the most significant impact on the gaming and entertainment.
Social Good category; here the judges will source for a startup with a product that is in a position of catalyzing social and economic development using technology.
Productivity and Utility category; here the judges will source for a startup with products or services that stands a chance of going fully into commercial production. They should also have the most significant impact on the human potential.
Here are the countries which their startups are legible to apply; Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Togo, Tanzania, Swaziland, South Sudan, South Africa, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Rwanda, Nigeria, Niger, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mali, Malawi, Madagascar, Liberia, Lesotho, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Gabon, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Comoros, Chad, central Africa republic, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Benin and Angola.
Applications are open up to 3rd September 2018, and the finalists will get a notification on 19th October 2018. Those interested can click here for application.
