All is set for maiden Africa StartUp Cup in Ghana
All is set for the maiden Africa StartUp Cup conference to be held in Accra from April 28 to 30.
At the conference, winners from 13 local StartUp Cups from around Africa would be presenting their business models to an international panel of judges.
From this event, three overall winners would go on to compete in the World StartUp Cup in California in the United States to receive investment funds, mentoring and business coaching from some Silicon Valley’s top business leaders.
The Africa StartUp Cup is an extraordinary event designed to showcase and celebrate entrepreneurs from every conceivable industry, and in the process shine a global light on the power of Africa entrepreneurs and startups to improve lives.
The three-day programme would consist of StartUp Cup’s Summit on Africa’s Growth and economic progress, pitches, mentorship, as well as coaching and training for delegates of the programme.
Mr Jimmy Mauldin, the Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy in Accra, speaking at the official launch of the Africa StartUp Cup on Tuesday in Accra, said the spirit of entrepreneurship is dear to President Barack Obama, the US Embassy in Accra and the American people.
He said the Embassy is proud to have StartUp Cup as an official partner of the US State Department’s Global entrepreneurship around the world.
He said StartUp Cup is a feature event of their annual Global Entrepreneurship Week in which the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators takes place annually in over 30 countries.
Mr Mauldin urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to get ready to part take in the showdown of the century as young Africa innovators go head-to-head against each other, battling for the badge of honour to be crowned Africa’s First StartUp Cup Champion.
“And don’t forget to be nice to every competitor you meet, because the hand you shake next week may very well be one of a future African multi billionaire who will literally change the world,” he said.
The Accra conference is under the auspices of the US Embassy in Accra, Ethiopian Air and the Alisa Hotels Limited.
Mr Emmanuel Nyame, the Regional Director Africa StartUp Cup, said Ghana is excited to host the maiden event; adding that subsequent ones would be held in other participating African countries.
He said StartUp Cup empowers entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, through mentorship programmes.
He noted that there would be four panel discussion sessions to be led by key personalities, and they would be looking at topics such as strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem, women entrepreneurship, investing, the role of cooperating and innovations.
He said interested people could register on their website: Africa.startafrica.com; stating that discounts of 50 per cent would be granted to interested students.
Source: GNA