2020 African App Launchpad Cup applications open

The 2020 African App Launchpad Cup, aimed at African startups focusing on app and game development has opened for applications. 

Established by the IT Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) in collaboration with Microsoft and Grindstone Africa, the African App Launchpad (AAL) is a platform that aims to increase the amount of African youth emerging into sustainable startups that focus on building apps and game development.

Applications for the 2020 AAL Cup close on 15 November 2020

The ALL’s goal is to reach 10 000 entrepreneurs and support 100 African startups.

AAL allows access to a high quality, a technology-learning online platform that uses crowd-sourcing to locate online content developed by top universities and leading companies. This includes massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity are used to access the collected content. 

Founded by The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in 2014, the IT Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) aims to accelerate the process of developing the IT industry in Egypt. 

Entry requirements

Countries that are eligible for the AAL cup are Uganda, Rwanda, Togo, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Cameroon, Malawi, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Chad, Rwanda, Senegal, The Gambia, Niger, Namibia, Nigeria, and Comoros

• Teams or Startups must be running for two years 
• Teams must have two members minimum, single individuals may not enter
•  Teams or startups must possess a working prototype
• A higher-education college student graduating before 2021 can apply for app and game development
• Non-Information and Communications Technology (ICT) applicants, as well as junior university students, can apply for introductory tracks
• Non-ICT applicants interested in other ICT tracks should have a good understanding of essential ICT technologies. Their requirements are; Minimum of two years working in ICT and at least six months of international training in software technologies.

Projects from teams or startups must be supplied by 22 November to be eligible for the AAL cup. Applicants can apply online and finalists will be announced on 30 November 2020. 

Applications will be judged on the following criteria; innovation and creativity, the overall business model, art and/or the design of the app, and the team’s competencies. 

Rewards to look out for

The top three selected winners in each track (app building and game development) will receive $12 000, $8 000, and $4 000 from first place to third place. Twenty four of the other finalists selected will win $1000 each.

Microsoft rewards the top team of each track with a go-to-market programme where startups will interact with Microsoft Network Africa networks and have the opportunity to grow their business. 

Benefits of the AAL cup

• A free top-quality learning track is made accessible in one of the advanced app and game technologies.
• Teams will receive an international certificate after completing the learning track.
• An opportunity to attend a local learning group to understand cross-learning and how technologies impact a business.
• Opportunity for teams to join startup competitions to access possible seed funding or incubation services.
• Teams are up-to-date on Africa-wide employment opportunities.

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Featured image: Christina Morillo via Pexels