Stellenbosch University-backed incubator LaunchLab (SU LL) is building the next generation of sustainable, high-impact companies tackling the world’s toughest challenges in Agri, Climate & Health with a heavy dose of engineering and data science so has put out a call for submissions for the ACE Africa Circular Business Showcase competition.
The pitch competition forms part of the ACE Africa project, which aims to support circular economy businesses in Africa and it will let individuals and businesses from across the continent showcase their ideas and products. ACE Africa Circular Business Showcase 2021 competition details
LaunchLab is looking for individuals or businesses with commercial ideas that commit to circular innovation in health, food, and climate. Individuals that are eligible to enter must reside in Africa and be willing to become an ACE Africa Entrepreneur and enter one of SU LL’s incubation programmes.
Eligible businesses must be operating in Africa. They must contribute to the circular economy, have and/or sell a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), have at least one full-time team member and have been working on the venture for more than six months.
Following a selection process, the competition will shortlist the top participants and select eight to 16 finalists. The participants will then pitch to a panel of judges and potential investors at an online live event on 30 November. Each of them will have three minutes to pitch their idea or business, followed by a three-minute Q&A session.
There are prizes for both pitching businesses and individuals up for grabs. The business that wins first place will receive R25 000, a spot in an SU LL incubation programme, and a one-hour mentoring session with an incubation team. Businesses in second and third place will receive R15 000 and R10 000 respectively and each a spots in a programme.
The winning entrepreneur will receive R5 000 and attend a one-hour mentoring session with an incubation team. Along with the second and third place winners, they will also attend a one-hour customer discovery workshop. Businesses and entrepreneurs can enter the competition and submit their ideas on the signup website.
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 on 7 November.
