Newly opened Cape Town-based coworking space Platform9 is to host a pitching competition, offering startups the chance to win six months’ of sponsored office space.
Disrupt Africa reported in February Platform9 launched in the Salt River area of Cape Town, South Africa; offering startups an “affordable and authentic” workspace, which will enable them to “act big” and compete on the market.
Platform9 has now announced the launch of a pitching competition – called “Startup Track Night” – offering up three workspaces for six months – to go to either one three-man startup, or three individual startups or entrepreneurs.
15 startups will be selected to give a three minute pitch to a panel of judges, detailing what their business does, how it will change the world, and how the free workspace would impact the business.
“We are running the competition, not only to make startups and SMEs aware of the space, but also to assist the winners of the competition by alleviating some financial stresses involved with getting a business off the ground,” Catherine Young of Platform9 told Disrupt Africa.
“The event will also provide startups with the opportunity to network and to receive helpful feedback on their businesses from the panel,” she said.
Young said the Startup Track Night hopes to attract startups and small businesses looking for coworking space, but also larger organisations interested in becoming a donor or sponsor of either money or expertise in order to support startups’ growth and success.
Startup Track Night will take place on March 30, at Platform9.
To apply to pitch, entrepreneurs should send their name, their business’ name and contact number to info@platform9.co.za. Entries close March 20, at midday.
