Major startup event DEMO Africa 2015 extends applications

The deadline for one of the continent’s biggest startup events applications to DEMO Africa 2015 has been extended. The application window which was scheduled to close on 30 May has been extended for a month with the new deadline set for 30 June.

The decision to extend the deadline is a result of an upcoming roadshow. These mini DEMO Africa events will offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet with the organisers, to receive feedback on their application and to refine their profiles before the selection committee makes a final decision.

The first of these campaigns will be held on the 3 June at PAWA254 Studio in Nairobi. During these mini-events, a select number of start-ups will be given six minutes each to pitch to a panel of judges made up of ecosystem players. Each of the four planned events will produce one startup that will get a direct nomination to launch their product at the DEMO Africa stage in Lagos on 24 and 25 September.

Commenting on this announcement, Ben White Co-founder and CEO, VC4Africa explained. “It’s important to connect with innovators from all corners of the continent. It’s great these regional events are taking place and to connect with communities across the continent. This helps to ensure high quality applications from across Africa,’ He said.

Echoing Ben’s sentiments, the Executive producer for DEMO Africa, Harry Hare said: “I have a lot of faith in African entrepreneurs and over the years since the debut DEMO Africa event in 2012 they have never disappointed. This year holds great hope in the solutions that will be launched. This is a critical opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage my team and get themselves geared up for a successful launch in 2015.”

The DEMO Africa pre-selection mini-events will be hosted in four cities across Africa. These include Nairobi, Accra, Harare and Cairo.

Applications are still being accepted in the 12 application categories which include: Agriculture, Health, Education, Manufacturing and Retail. Others are Media and entertainment, Communication, Transport and Logistics, Energy, Finance and Banking, Water and Sanitation, Waste Management and recycling.

The main DEMO Africa event is slated for 24 and 25 September 2015 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Nigeria. Following a successful run last year, an Investor Summit is taking place September 23rd: various investors including Cairo Angels, Lagos Angels Network, Ivoire Business Angels, Viktoria Angels, Ghana Angel Investors Network, Africa Angels Network, Cameroon Angels, Silicon Cape, VC4Africa Investor Network, and others will come together to discuss the “Africa opportunity” as well as discuss best practices, share lessons learned and set the road map for the future.