Seedstars World, the largest early-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is coming to Mali for the fourth time. With the support of the local host Impact Hub Bamako, Seedstars will be holding a dynamic pitch event on 7th of November, 2019 at 4 pm.
The companies invited to the training session and to privately pitch at the Seedstars Bamako event must have raised less than USD 500k in funding and built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction. The Seedstars team is searching for one additional criterion: potential for regional and global scalability.
Besides representing Mali at the Seedstars Regional Summit, the winner will get a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Switzerland, to compete at the Seedstars Summit for the title of Seedstars Global Winner and up to USD 500,000 in equity investments and other prizes.
The applications are open until 28th of October 2019 and startups are invited to apply at https://www.seedstarsworld.com/event/seedstars-bamako-2019. After careful screening, the Seedstars team will shortlist around ten of the best seed-stage startups to participate in training and 1:1 meetings with investors on 7th of November 2019.
Mali was previously represented by ESène with their on-board system that collects soil moisture to provide water and fertilizer for crops.
In order to provide local entrepreneurs with this opportunity and aiming to deliver the best possible event, Seedstars is closely working with Mohamed Keita, who is representing the initiative throughout the year.
“Seedstars offers a unique opportunity for technology companies to access a network and funding, at Impact Hub Bamako we are proud of our collaboration with this great organization that has allowed the hatching and development of many startups whose products have a huge impact on the lives of millions of Africans.” explains Mohamed Keita, Founder and CEO at Impact Hub Bamako.
Seedstars, SAFEEM and GIZ aim have joined forces to increase women participation across all levels to achieve an improved gender balance. The project aims to increase and catalyse investments for women-led startups in Sub-Saharan Africa, drive more inclusive training opportunities for women-led startups across the continent, highlight more women entrepreneurs and to create a tool kit of best practices that aim at achieving an improved gender balance.
Additionally, DOEN partnered with Seedstars to launch the DOEN Land Restoration Prize, in order to find and award the best tech(-enabled) solutions in the land restoration and land degradation space on the continent.
Also AFDB has joined forces with Seedstars as a main partner for the “Job Creation Track” which aims to train, support, promote and award startups that show potential for creating sustainable jobs in Africa. The bank will support all local bootcamps, including a two-day dedicated bootcamp at the regional summit.