TechCrunch, in partnership with Facebook have chosen three locations across the globe to host the annual TechCrunch Competition for technological enthusiasts. Nigeria will be the second country to host the prestigious event for Sub-Saharan Africa after Kenya, which hosted last year’s event.
In last year’s event, Nairobi-based e-logistics platform Lori Systems was crowned “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Most Promising Startup”.
Beirut will host the event for Middle East and North Africa while São Paulo will be the convergence point for Latin America. Beirut’s event is on track for early October, São Paulo’s for early November and Lagos’ for early December.
“TechCrunch is once again teaming up with Facebook, our partner for last year’s Nairobi event, to bring the Startup Battlefield to three major cities representing regions with vital, emerging startup communities. In Beirut, TechCrunch’s editors will strive to find the best early-stage startup in the Middle East and North Africa. In São Paulo, the hunt is for the best in Latin America. And in Lagos, Nigeria, TechCrunch will once again find the top startup in Sub-Saharan Africa,” reads a statement from the organisers.
Read: Tanda, An Online Platform Set To Run Shops For Traders
Upon application, the organisers will choose 15 companies in each region to compete, to whom travel support will be provided to reach the host city. The finalists will also receive intensive coaching from TechCrunch’s editors to hone their pitches before they take the stage in front of top venture capitalists from the region and around the world.
Winners will receive $25,000 (Ksh2.5 million) plus a trip for two to the next TechCrunch Disrupt event, where they can exhibit free of charge, and, if qualified, have a chance to be selected to participate in the Startup Battlefield competition associated with that Disrupt.
“In the world of founders, the Startup Battlefield finalists are elite; the more than 750 Startup Battlefield alums have raised over $8 billion (Ksh800 billion) and produced over 100 exits to date,” states TechCruch.
Do you have a story you want told? Do you know of a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
