Applications for the Nairobi leg of the 1776 Challenge Cup close today, with up to 40 startups to be chosen in time for the January 26-27 event.
Disrupt Africa reported in November 1776 announced a partnership with Kenya’s iHub incubator to bring the global competition to Nairobi for the first time.
The Challenge Cup sees participants compete in regional legs held in 16 cities across 11 countries for US$650,000 worth of prizes, and the chance to meet and pitch to investors.
Startups competing in the event are divided into four categories – education, energy, health, and cities- with the organisers saying the event focuses on startups which are “compelling, world changing, and highly scalable”.
Up to 10 startups are chosen to compete in each category – totalling up to 40 startups competing in each regional event.
Those selected will be invited to participate in a two day incubator in preparation for the competition held at the end of the second day; when participants will pitch to a panel of judges to secure their place in the second round and global final.
One startup is chosen from each category winning a one-week free trip to Washington DC to compete at the 1776 annual Challenge Festival, where the winners of all the regional events go head-to-head in a global final.
Applicants must not have raised more than US$1.5 million at the time of application, and must have generated less than US$3 million in revenues.
For more information and to apply, startups can visit the 1776 Challenge Cup website.
