Africa’s startup launchpad, DEMO Africa has announced it’s keeping the application window open for one more week from Sunday June 15 to Sunday June 22, 2014 following numerous requests by start-ups to have more time to meet the DEMO Africa application expectations.
“From experiences, there is always a last minute rush by start-ups to comply. By extending the deadline, we want to give more time for innovators to ensure that their efforts do not go to not waste, thereby boosting their confidence which is what we are about,” said Harry Hare, executive producer, DEMO Africa.
Hare said the extension has been motivated by the need to allow start-ups who have been working hard to meet the application guidelines but had not managed to do so by the initial June 15 deadline.
The VC4Africa founder Ben White supported the move to extend the deadline. He observed that the standards set by the applicants are really high and explained, “It’s always thrilling to see how hard entrepreneurs work on their applications and the jury has a tough job ahead of them. That said, many entrepreneurs have asked for more time to put their best foot forward. It’s a great opportunity for entrepreneurs on the sidelines to still get their hat in the ring, but they are going to have to move fast”.
Startups can apply online on VC4Africa here.
This move comes even as curtains fall on DEMO Africa’s innovation tours 2014. The tours which have been concluded in Lagos, Nigeria at the iDEA hub, have seen the DEMO Africa team visiting various countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. This provided an opportunity for the team to meet Africa start-ups and coach on how best to apply for DEMO Africa 2014.
DEMO Africa set to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria is looking to shortlist the best forty from the hundreds of applications submitted from across the region. The final forty will be based on the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability. Names of the panel members will be released in the first week of July and Harry Hare assured continental representation in the selection panel.
The best forty start-ups will have a chance 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.
