VC4A Start-up Academy is looking for 10 innovative early-stage start-ups with scalable ideas seeking funding of up to R16 million.
Working in collaboration with technical partner Amazon Web Services (AWS Activate) and network partners AfriLabs and ABAN, VC4A will host the Venture Showcase – Seed in November as part of a virtual gathering of Africa-focused early-stage investors.
The 10 selected start-ups will get to participate in the VC4A Venture Showcase deal room, including over 150 early-stage investment firms, professional edited three-minute virtual pitch videos, 30-minute deep-dive sessions with investors in a private room, mentorship and pitch training by early-stage investor organisations.
Additionally, they will get AWS credits from AWS Activate worth $10 000, as well as tools and resources to get started quickly on AWS. They also join the showcase alumni network and gain exclusive access to fundraising opportunities.
Ben White, founder and director of VC4A, says: “Based on investor demand, we have added a ‘seed track’ to the Venture Showcase – now in its fourth year. This exciting addition opens the door to up-and-coming companies looking to connect with leading investors active across the continent.
“The ‘seed track’ targets ventures with highly scalable business models demonstrating strong traction. We put a spotlight on the innovation coming up across the continent with the aim to capitalise the next-generation of great African start-ups.”
Since 2017, VC4A has showcased growth-stage start-ups as part of the annual Africa early-stage Investor Summit, resulting in a number of series A deals totalling over $100 million.
The academy says building on this success, the ‘VC4A Venture Showcase – Seed’ track positions deal-ready companies as a central component to its Africa-focused network of over 150 early-stage investment firms.
Further, VC4A says through the partnerships with AfriLabs, representing 202 innovation centres across 46 African countries, and ABAN, representing 60+ angel investor networks, the event promotes co-investment opportunities for members.
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