Seedstars World has opened applications for its Rwanda competition, which will see 10 startups compete to represent the country at the global final next year for the chance to win up to US$1 million in equity investment.
Seedstars World has already chosen African winners in Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola,Nigeria,Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Algeria and Botswana, and will hold its Rwanda event on December 6.
The event will be held with the support of local host kLab, with startups required to be less than two years old, have raised less than US$500,000 in funding and have built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction.
“Seedstars World is a platform connecting investors to the next generation of startup entrepreneurs, pulling the spotlight from Silicon Valley and Western Europe,” said Selam Kebede, associate at Seedstars World.
“Rwanda is the success story of our continent. In the past few years only, there have been measurable advancements in integrating technology with the day to day life of Rwandans. We have heard so much about the bustling startup ecosystem in Rwanda and we are now here to witness the reality.”
Up to 10 of the best seed stage startups in Rwanda will be invited to pitch for the opportunity to compete at the Seedstars Summit, which takes place annually in Switzerland.
“We are so happy to welcome Seedstars World to the country of a thousand hills and million smiles. Hosting Seedstars World means a lot to us as Rwanda has been a focal point and home of startups,” said Aphrodice Mutangana, general manager at kLab.
