She Leads Africa has announced the six finalists selected to pitch at its 2015 Entrepreneur Showcase, with the winning entrepreneur to be awarded a US$10,000 cash prize, while She Leads Africa will also invest up to US$50,000 in two of the startups.
Disrupt Africa reported in May applications opened to young female entrepreneurs wishing to compete at the Entrepreneur Showcase to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, in September. The first prize winner of the pitching competition will be awarded US$10,000, the entrepreneur taking second place will secure a US$5,000 cash prize, and US$1,000 will be given to the third prize winner.
In addition to the cash prizes, this year She Leads Africa announced it will invest between US$25,000 and US$50,000 in two of the finalists’ companies.
The organisation today announced the six successful applicants, selected from among 400 startups which applied to compete at the event.
Three of the chosen companies are tech-based startups: Beauty Rev NG – an e-commerce company focusing on beauty brands; mobile technology company InstaHealth that connects patients to doctors and healthcare information via their phones; and Heels In The Kitchen – a hosted cooking show with a fashion and style edge that teaches viewers how to create meals while providing interactive content.
The three other startups selected to compete at the event are Heat Free Hair; KAMOKINI; and OmoAlata.
Judges for this year include Tunde Folawiyo, managing director of the Yinka Folawiyo Group; Huda Al Lawati, Abraaj Capital Middle East and North Africa chief investment officer; Acha Leke, director at McKinsey & Company; Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV; and Segun Agbaje, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Guaranty Trust Bank.
“We are very excited about the judging panel for this year’s She Leads Africa Entrepreneur Showcase. The panel is made up of established and well-respected individuals from the consulting, media and finance sectors. Each judge’s professional insight and experience will play an important role in deciding the winners of this year’s Entrepreneur Showcase,” said Yasmin Belo-Osagie, She Leads Africa’s co-founder.
