Its yet another year and yet another for yet another DEMO Africa event, and Nigeria will have the honour,yet again to host this year’s event for the second time in a row. The event will take place on the 24th and the 25th of September at the Eko Hotle and Suites.
In this event 40 start-ups from all over Africa will showcase their innovations; the launch of new innovations is expected to prompt the attending audience of potential investors, IT buyer and consumers towards actions that will gain Africa further traction in the global start-up scene.
Lagos success to host the event for the second time is a direct result of the Federal Government’s endearing support to the ICT sector through the Ministry of Communication Technology. Notable moves include the recent announcement by the ministry to conduct a Government seeded IT Innovation Fund and committing $9m as seed capital. The ministry has also made direct contact with the alumni who have participated in various technology competitions with the aim of assessing their needs and providing various interventions.
The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson said: “We are pleased that DEMO Africa will be hosted in Nigeria for the second time. DEMO Africa provides a veritable platform for young Nigerian and African youths to showcase their creativity and innovation and push Africa’s frontier in the global space’’.
Harry Hare, Executive Producer of DEMO Africa said: “Efforts by young entrepreneurs are the sustainability upon which the future of generations in Africa rests.” He commented.
The application platform is set to open in late February. Since the event took place in September, more than ten start-ups that participated have already wooed investment opportunities. These include; Nerve, Chura, Paysail, Spacepointe, Irofit, Hutbay, and Cube. Others are at an advanced stage in the negotiation with various investors and companies interested in mergers.
Yele Okeremi, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee pledged to bring together all machineries that will be necessary to make another success of the 2015 event.
This year, the event will include a host of other activities including an investor roundtable forum, LIONS@FRICA Summit and a boomcamp, with the uptake of Africa generated technology being expected to dominate the conversations.
In order to increase effectiveness, DEMO Africa will run several pre-demo contests in various countries as the beginning of the vetting process for the start-ups. Start-up entrepreneurs are encouraged to put their structures in place before end of February when the application platform will open.
All the applications will be vetted by a panel of judges comprising experts in Tech and Business who will shortlist the best forty on their ability to link creativity, innovation and effectiveness
The event will be co-hosted by The Ministry of Communication Technology-Federal Government of Nigeria, National Information Technology Agency-Nigeria and DEMO Africa in partnership with VC4Africa and Afrilabs.