SA startups called on to apply for Annual Investment Meeting Virtual Pitch Competition

Applications are now open for SA high-growth startups to apply to the Annual Investment Meeting Virtual Pitch Competition.

The winner of a local virtual pitching competition will be flown to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a trip valued at over R100 000 to compete at the Annual Investment Meeting (Aim) which is set to take place in Dubai later this year.

The competition, which involves 80 countries, has been organised by Aim, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Applications for the SA leg close on 22 June.

The winner of the SA leg will go on to compete at the Annual Investment Meeting Virtual Pitch Competition

In a statement yesterday the Startup Mzansi Foundation, announced that on 30 June it will be hosting the South African leg of the competition.

In all, 10 startups will be chosen to pitch to a jury, consisting of some of South Africa’s prominent business professionals. The names of the jury will be announced later this week.

This, while the names of the top 10 finalists who will participate on the grand final will be announced on 26 June, with the pitch set to take place at 12pm on 30 June.

The winning startup will be given a fully sponsored trip to attend and compete at the Global Startup Champions stage during Aim in Dubai. This will include flight tickets accommodation, and a free exhibition booth or kiosk.

While there is no cash prize for the winner of the SA leg of the competition, the global winner will stand to take home a cash prize. Last year’s cash prize was set at $10,000, Startup Mzansi Foundation CEO Sandile Shabangu told Ventureburn yesterday.

In its 10th year, Aim – dubbed the World’s leading investment platform — was initially scheduled to take place in March in Dubai but has been rescheduled to the last quarter of the year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An exact date still needs to be announced.

Aim’s ninth edition attracted over 16 000 participants and 436 exhibitors and co-exhibitors.

Featured image: Dubai (bulletrain743 via Pixabay)