Startup : Seedstars is coming to Abidjan to find the startup in Ivory Coast

Seedstars is coming to Abidjan to find the startup in Ivory Coast. On the 26th of October, around ten of Ivory Coast’s best seed-stage startups will compete to represent the country at the Seedstars Summit and win up to USD one million in equity investments and other prizes.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 9th of October – Seedstars World, the largest startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes is coming to Ivory Coast for the fourth time. With the support of the local host Seedspace Abidjan, Seedstars will be holding a dynamic pitch event on the 26th of October, at 4PM.

 The companies selected to pitch at the Seedstars Abidjan event need to be less than two years old, 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: the startup’s regional and global scalability.

The applications are open until October 15th and startups are invited to apply at seedsta.rs/abidjan. After a careful screening, the Seedstars team will shortlist around ten of the best seed-stage startups in Ivory Coast to pitch on the 26th of October for the opportunity to compete at the Seedstars Summit, that annually takes place in Switzerland.

“Seedstars World is a platform that connects investors and stakeholders with the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since this will be our fourth time organizing the event at Abidjan, the stakes are high and we are very excited. We’ve been in this ecosystem for more than four years now and know there are companies in Ivory Coast developing high-quality products. We are looking for the best and will take it with us to Switzerland in 2019!”, says Claudia Makadristo, Regional Manager for Africa at Seedstars.

In order to provide local entrepreneurs with this opportunity and aiming to deliver the best possible event, Seedstars is closely working with Rites Massamba, who is representing the initiative throughout the year. “I decide  to become an ambassador, to contribute to the development of the ecosystem of African Startups also because these SMES are the key to finding solutions to local needs and solving the problems of jobs” explains Rites Massamba, CEO at IFID.

It’s Seedstars’ goal to place the spotlight on entrepreneurs from emerging markets, especially those targeting solutions that align with UN Sustainable Development Goals. With that in mind, Seedstars World is travelling to more than 65 countries to identify the most innovative seed-stage startups, awarding them the opportunity to win up to USD one million and network with investors and mentors from around the world at the global Seedstars Summit in Switzerland. Its previous participants have raised over USD 120 mn collectively, providing employment to more than 2.100 employees worldwide.

With a strong network of international partners, such as Merck, SPECo, Enel or Continental (amongst others) the competition organizers are looking for smart startups that tackle regional issues and develop profitable and sustainable products for the global market.

Selected startups will give a five minute pitch in English, in front of a jury made up of local startup heavyweights, followed by another fine minute Q&A session. Members of the public and press are welcome to come join the fun and should register on the above Seedstars Abidjan website as well!