TractionBus opens applications for Gauteng startup competition

Ever since the original StartupBus ground into gear back in 2010, there have been plenty of organisations offering their own takes on the idea. Among those doing so in Africa is TractionBus, which on Tuesday announced that applications for its Gauteng edition were open.

Labeling itself as a mobile startup pitching competition, TractionBus will visit five entrepreneurial and startup hubs in Gauteng. Five entrepreneurs form each hub will pitch, with one getting a space on the TractionBus. From there, the five winners from the five hubs will participate in the finale for potential investment at #THUDfest2015 on 18 November.

The winning entrepreneurs will get prizes worth more than R200 000 in terms access to office space, mentorship and support to access markets and funding.

According to competition organisers StartupEdge, the purpose of the TractionBus is to connect, expose and celebrate the startup ecosystem participants as well as exposing entrepreneurs to the different offerings by each ecosystem participant.

The five hubs are; The Innovation Hub in Pretoria, Riversands Incubation Hub in Midrand, BizFarm also in Midrand, Alphacode in Sandton and Sophiatown Green incubator. JoziHub will meanwhile be provide technical assistance and coaching to the tech startups beyond the competition.

Read more: Venture Bus opens for applications to build 40 impactful startups in Africa

Participants can enter online by filling out the entry form on the StartUp Edge web site, and the main requirement is that the Business/startup must be less than two years old.

Entries will close on 31 October. The 25 finalists will be announced on 4 November, the finalists will have to attend a pre-competition training session on 11 November.

The competition will take place the following week, 18 November starting at The Innovation Hub in Pretoria and ending off at Sophiatown Green Incubator before heading to the finals at THUDFest.

The public is invited to come to the finals at THUDFest to engage with the hubs and investors present on the day.