Silicon Cape has announced it has picked four local startups to take part in the #PitchVinny event at Workshop 17 on Monday, August 17, giving them the chance to pitch to angel investor Vinny Lingham for ZAR50,000 (US$4,000) in funding.
Disrupt Africa reported last week on the call for applications for the event, which gives startups access to Lingham, who aside from co-founding Silicon Cape is one of South Africa’s best known technology entrepreneurs and investors.
He co-founded Clicks2Customers, TrafficSynergy, Yola and Gyft, and is an increasingly active angel investor, having made early investments in the likes of Quirk and SkyRove. Lingham was most recently seen doing his thing on television during Dragons’ Den SA, putting money intoEkaya, SA Florist and eShip.
The four startups selected to pitch are online marketplace Cloudlife, freelance platform Mintor, real-time communication app HOWXIT and learning app SquirrelThat.
One or all of these startups could walk away with ZAR50,000 from Lingham, who also co-founded angel firm Newtown Partners with Llew Claasen.
“We believe that entrepreneurs should get a shot at a dream. A dream that is big and bold and unexpected,” said Claasen.
“South Africa’s problems will not be overcome if the dreamers don’t dream bigger dreams and if the startup ecosystem doesn’t support the dreamers. We want to be a part of that change, so we’re giving one of these entrepreneurs a kickstart with ZAR50,000 in cash. Think big or collect a paycheck, there is no middle ground worth occupying.”
