Africa’s startup launchpad, DEMO Africa has announced that the application process for 2015 is now open and entrepreneurs can apply from now.
Like last years’, the application process will be hosted by DEMO Africa’s partner VC4Africa and the application window is open from today and will remain open throughout March, April and to close by end of May.
Set to be held on 24th and 25th September at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, DEMO Africa will this year qualify just 30 startups than the traditional 40 each year.
In a statement, Ben White, Co-Founder and CEO of VC4Africa said: “We are looking forward to having even more mature applications this year. This means that competition will be stiff and I would encourage start-up entrepreneurs to present their best.”
To qualify for DEMO Africa 2015, start-ups must ensure that their products have the ability to impact the marketplace of introduction. A clear business plan and a team capable of delivering the product are also vital. The product must be ready for launch and the business must be legally registered. Preference is given to disruptive innovations that have massive potential for scale.
The 12 application categories include: Agriculture, Health, Education, Manufacturing and Retail. Others are Media and entertainment, Communication, Transport and Logistics, Energy, Finance and Banking, Water and Sanitation, Waste Management and recycling.
Speaking about the applications, Harry Hare, Executive producer for DEMO Africa said there’s growing interest of startups from across the continent and the numbers keep going up since the first DEMO Africa event was held in 2012.
“We expect these numbers to go up again this year which is extremely encouraging as it clearly shows that more and more African entrepreneurs are getting enthusiastic about being part of Africa’s entrepreneurship revolution.”
Unlike the traditional 40, this year, DEMO Africa will take in just 30 to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe.
Last year, DEMO Africa presented 6 start-ups with a chance to tour the Silicon Valley to meet mentors and share with peers. These included; SpacePointe- Nigeria, Chura- Kenya, Nerve- Nigeria, Paysail- Ghana, Jifunza- Rwanda and Saisai-Zimbabwe. Recently, participants in VC4Africa research indicated they successfully raised USD 27 million, many of them being DEMO alumni.
Neal Silverman, Senior Vice President, DEMO Conference observed that Africa’s technology hotbed is simmering.” I am glad that the scene keeps heating up with each passing DEMO Africa event. The next challenge is to see a widespread consumption of locally manufactured solutions. Then Africa will have satisfactorily joined the league of world greatest economies.”
This year again, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies and LIONS@FRICA are sponsoring with several other partners.
