She Leads Africa (SLA) has opened public voting for its first ever “People’s Choice Award”, with the winning entrepreneur guaranteed a place at the finals of this year’s Entrepreneur Showcase.
Disrupt Africa reported in May SLA called for applications from female entrepreneurs hoping to win a place to pitch at the 2015 Entrepreneur Showcase to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, in September. SLA also announced that for the first time, the competition will include a People’s Choice Award.
SLA said over 300 applications were received from entrepreneurs from over 30 countries; and a shortlist of 12 semi-finalists has been selected.
Online voting is now open to the public to select their favourite of the 12 semi-finalists, who will be named winner of the People’s Choice Award.
The People’s Choice Award winner will automatically secure a place at the finals of the pitching competition held at the Entrepreneur Showcase.
“Our community is made up of Africa’s growing and savvy consumer base so asking for their help in selecting the finalists is a no brainer. With their votes they’ll be able to show us the products and services they’d like to see in the market,” said She Leads Africa co-founder Yasmin Belo-Osagie.
Finalists pitching at the Entrepreneur Showcase will compete for US$15,000 in cash prizes, and will also benefit from meetings with investors and media.
Voting in the People’s Choice Award closes August 4.
