LaunchLab on the hunt for Western Cape’s best startups

The Nedbank Stellenbosch University LaunchLab Business Incubator has kicked off the first leg of its biannual Ideas Programme Pitching Platform for 2016. Participants stand a chance of winning a share of over R150 000 in incubation support services.

The platform initially takes the form of a series of events where startups can record their pitches. The recordings are then filtered through a judging round to select finalists to pitch at the final event, which will be hosted at the Nedbank Stellenbosch University LaunchLab.

“This programme is open to all aspiring and practising entrepreneurs from student and non-student communities who have innovative business ideas that are viable and could provide solutions to business challenges,” said Philip Marais, CEO of LaunchLab.

In February 2016, the LaunchLab announced its first Breakthrough Innovation Challenge, which focused specifically on unlocking innovation in its Paid Media vertical.

“This semester, in addition to the MultiChoice Media Breakthrough Innovation Challenge, the LaunchLab is looking for ideas in the following focus areas: Fintech and Big Data, Cleantech, Agritech and Food, Edutech, and anything exceptional,” says Marais.

The winners will be announced at the Pitching Platform final which takes place on 19 May 2016.

Participants can submit their pitch online or book to video record their pitch at participating institutions around the Western Cape.

The Pitching Platform pitches will be recorded as follows:

• Stellenbosch University
  Nedbank Stellenbosch University LaunchLab
  6, 12 and 15 April 2016

• University of Cape Town
  MTN Solution Space
  7 and 20 April 2016

• University of the Western Cape
  Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  8, 13 and 19 April 2016

• False Bay College (Westlake Campus)
  – Centre for Entrepreneurship
  11 April 2016

• AFDA
  – Observatory Campus
  14 and 18 April 2016

More information can be found online.