The Southern African Impact Investing Network (SAIIN) has called for applications from social entrepreneurs to win five available pitching slots at the SAIIN Conference to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in February.
Five social impact-oriented ventures will be selected to give 10-minute pitches about their startups to the conference audience composed of impact investors, industry experts, direct foreign investors, and corporations.
While primarily gaining investor exposure for the selected ventures, SAIIN said the presentations will also serve to showcase the innovation taking place in Southern Africa, and to inspire increased activity in the ecosystem.
“The organisers of the SAIIN Conference believe in the power of showcasing the fruits and innovation that can be generated by impact investing. They also believe in the value of the raw insight and experience that social entrepreneurs can add to the impact investing conversation,” the organisers said.
In order to qualify for consideration for a pitching slot, applicants must be a for-profit or hybrid social enterprise, as well as an early to mid-stage venture; must be able to demonstrate a strong investment proposition; and must be profit and social purpose driven.
Those interested in pitching should send in an application of no more than two pages, explaining what their social venture does, why the conference would benefit from hearing about their business, and should touch upon the previously mentioned eligibility criteria.
Applications should be emailed to Lisa van Eck at lisa.vaneck@aspeninst.org; with applications closing on January 30.
