Innovation Accelerator Startupbootcamp Hosts FastTracks To Source Top Startup Talent Across the Globe –
Applications Now Open!
The 3-month bootcamp kicks off in September 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, and will be led by seasoned innovation experts, Zachariah George, Philip Kiracofe, and Paul Nel.
When compared to other first-time programmes, Startupbootcamp Africa is the top performing programme.CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 15, 2018/APO Group/ -- Startupbootcamp (SBC) (www.Startupbootcamp.org), a global family of industry-focused accelerators, last year launched its first-ever Africa-based programme.
Building on the success of its inaugural 2017 Cape Town tech venture accelerator program, SBC Cape Town (http://bit.ly/SBCFastTracks) now embarks upon its FastTrack tour for 2018 – sourcing top-tier tech startups to join the programme’s second year.
The first-ever Cape Town Accelerator was a rollercoaster success with 32 corporate agreements including pilots and proof-of-concepts, signed during the accelerator.
“To sign 32 agreements is above average for any Startupbootcamp programme in the network. However, when compared to other first-time programmes, SBC Cape Town is the top performing programme. Even in very mature markets such as the US and Europe it generally takes 3 years for a programme to find its stride. We surpassed expectations in our very first year and this is unprecedented across the global Startupbootcamp footprint,” states Philip Kiracofe, co-founder and CEO of the SBC Cape Town programme.
Widely recognized as one of the world’s most influential global innovation accelerators, Startupbootcamp Cape Town kicks off their 2018 by hosting a FastTrack world tour that will include 19 FastTracks across the world in search of the next generation of Africa-focused startup talent. The FastTracks will be held in various cities across the globe between February and May 2018.
“We think of Africa as the Cradle of Innovation and the Cradle of Disruption. The non-negotiable, incontrovertible trend is that the population is increasing and as a fundamental necessity for survival, innovation must happen. Innovation will happen. The fact is that there is going to be a level of disruption in Africa that is unrivalled in history. There is no other place on the planet where they’ve dealt with this crisis that we see as an opportunity. It is happening here and will continue to happen here for the rest of the century and we are not just discovering and scaling the startups that will disrupt the necessary industries, we’re fuelling them. We’re finding people, creating solutions and we’re way ahead of the rest of the world in many ways. For example, in the U.S., people are still cottoning on to digital cash, while Africa has been doing it for years,” states Kiracofe.
What is a FastTrack:
Startupbootcamp FastTracks are informal events hosted all over the world and the aim is for the SBC team, mentors and sponsors to have the opportunity to meet the most suitable early-stage companies interested in joining the 2018 programme.
For each FastTrack, the top 10 startups that apply will receive instant feedback from a panel of industry mentors, they will be able to network with the SBC investment team and can also find out more about the programme itself.
Startup teams that attend a FastTrack are 20% more likely to be invited to the final Selection Days where the ultimate Top 10 will be invited to join the three-month programme to be hosted in Cape Town commencing September.
Why a FastTrack:
Attending an SBC FastTrack can offer startups valuable feedback from mentors and subject experts, startups will be able to engage with the Startupbootcamp global community and will also be able to meet with industry executives and exposed to worldwide opportunities. Attending a FastTrack will also give a startup the significant advantage of being added to the SBC Cape Town watch list, which gives you a 20% higher chance of being selected for the final programme.
“We want every startup to know that even if you don’t make it into the final Accelerator, our FastTrack events can provide incredible guidance and mentorship and can fundamentally shift a growing business,” advises Zachariah George, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Startupbootcamp Cape Town.
Who should apply to a FastTrack:
Any startup operating in the FinTech, CyberSecurity, InsurTech, eCommerce, RetailTech and related industries is encouraged to join in the FastTracks.
SBC Cape Town is specifically looking for startups in the following areas:
- Blockchain and Distributed Ledger
- Payment Solutions
- Big Data and Analytics
- Data and Behavioural Analytics
- Insurance and Cyber Insurance
- Financial Inclusion
- Commerce and eCommerce
- Identity and Authentication
- Payments
- Personal Financial Management
- IoT
- P2P Lending
- Cross-border Transactions
DATE
19 February 2018
CITY
Cape Town
COUNTRY
South Africa
DATE
21 February 2018
CITY
Johannesburg
COUNTRY
South Africa
DATE
26 February 2018
CITY
Gaborone
COUNTRY
Botswana
DATE
28 February 2018
CITY
Harare
COUNTRY
Zimbabwe
DATE
19 March 2018
CITY
Kigali
COUNTRY
Rwanda
DATE
21 March 2018
CITY
Kampala
COUNTRY
Uganda
DATE
23 March 2018
CITY
Nairobi
COUNTRY
Kenya
DATE
7 April 2018
CITY
Lagos
COUNTRY
Nigeria
DATE
9 April 2018
CITY
Abidjan
COUNTRY
Ivory Coast
DATE
12 April 2018
CITY
Accra
COUNTRY
Ghana
DATE
18 April 2018
CITY
Durban
COUNTRY
South Africa
DATE
24 April 2018
CITY
Dubai
COUNTRY
United Arab Emirates
DATE
26 April 2018
CITY
Cairo
COUNTRY
Egypt
DATE
9 May 2018
CITY
Johannesburg
COUNTRY
South Africa
DATE
14 May 2018
CITY
Tel Aviv
COUNTRY
Israel
DATE
16 May 2018
CITY
Paris
COUNTRY
France
DATE
18 May 2018
CITY
London
COUNTRY
England
DATE
22 May 2018
CITY
Cape Town
COUNTRY
South Africa
Beyond the FastTracks:
FastTrack engagements are not a requirement to apply for the Startupbootcamp Cape Town Accelerator, and ALL startups are encouraged to apply. However, attending a FastTrack will be to your advantage.
The final deadline for innovators and entrepreneurs to apply online for the final accelerator is 24 May 2018.
From a pool of hundreds of applicants, the 10 most promising teams will be selected and provided with EUR 15,000, 100+ highly engaged industry mentors, free office space, access to funding and a network of industry partners, investors and venture capital firms.
The 3-month bootcamp kicks off in September 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, and will be led by seasoned innovation experts, Zachariah George, Philip Kiracofe, and Paul Nel.
Core sponsors for this first SBC Africa-based programme include big backers RCS, PwC, BNP Paribas, Nedbank, Woolworths Financial Services and Old Mutual.
How to apply to a FastTrack:
- Visit the Startupbootcamp Cape Town FastTrack page here: http://bit.ly/SBCFastTracks
- Click on your chosen FastTrack
- Remember: Applications close 3 days before the FastTrack.
- Good to Know: Only 10 teams are invited to each FastTrack so get your applications in as soon as possible!
- Visit the Startupbootcamp Cape Town page: http://bit.ly/SBCFastTracks
- Click on any of the FastTracks you are interested in attending ahead of the Accelerator
- Remember: Applications for the final Accelerator open on 21 February 2018.
- Good to Know: You don’t have to attend a FastTrack to be eligible to apply for the Accelerator.
For more information about the Startupbootcamp Cape Town programme, FastTracks or this press release, please contact:
Mika Stanvliet | 081 534 6237 | Mika@TheLoudhailer.org
About Startupbootcamp:
Founded in 2010, Startupbootcamp (Startupbootcamp.org) is a global startup accelerator with 18 programs in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Chengdu, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, New York, Rome, Singapore and Cape Town. They take startups global by giving them direct access to the international network of the most relevant partners, investors and mentors in their sector in more than 30 countries. 79% of the Startupbootcamp alumni teams are still active and 71% have gone on to raise additional funding from many of the world's leading VCs and angels.
For more information visit: Startupbootcamp.org
About Startupbootcamp Cape Town:
In 2017 the global Startupbootcamp network launched the first-ever Africa-based SBC programme in Cape Town (goo.gl/noSF3T).
SBC Cape Town is a leading accelerator focused on high-growth startups in blockchain, connected devices, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, integrated supply chain, e-commerce, FinTech, RetailTech, InsurTech, alternative financing, identity management, digital connectivity, data and behavioural analytics and enabling technologies.
The accelerator is anchored by leading corporate sponsors Old Mutual, RCS, BNP Paribas, Nedbank, Woolworths Financial Services, and PwC that will support and grow the program and selected startups. Global sponsors include Amazon Web Services, and Cisco.
The programme is also supported by several service partners including: Cloudworx, VC4A, Inner City Ideas Cartel, Brevity Law and The Loudhailer.
For more information visit: goo.gl/noSF3T
About RCS:
The RCS Group (RCS) (RCS.co.za) is a leading consumer finance business that offers its customers a range of financial service products under their own brand name, as well as in association with a number of leading retailers in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
RCS collaborates with its retail partners as BNP Paribas Personal Finance South Africa.
For more information visit: RCS.co.za
About BNP Paribas Personal Finance:
BNP Paribas Personal Finance (BNPparibas-pf.com/en) is the leader in France and in Europe for personal loans via its activities in consumer credit and mortgage lending. A 100% subsidiary of the BNP Paribas Group, BNP Paribas Personal Finance has nearly 20,000 employees and operates in about 30 countries. For more information visit: BNPparibas-pf.com/en
About Old Mutual:
Old Mutual Emerging Markets (OldMutual.co.za) is a leading financial services group with 10.9 million customers, assets under management of approximately R1 trillion – and about 29 000- employees (as at 31 December 2016).
It operates in 18 countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia, providing individuals, businesses, corporates and institutions with long-term savings, protection, investment and lending solutions.
For more information visit: OldMutual.co.za
About Nedbank:
Nedbank Group (Nedbank.co.za) is one of South Africa’s four largest banks, with Nedbank Limited as our principal banking subsidiary. Our vision to be Africa’s most admired bank is driven by continuously delivering on our five strategic focus areas: Delivering innovative market-leading client experience; Growing our transactional banking franchise faster than the markets; Being operationally excellent in all we do; Managing scare resources to optimise economic outcomes and Providing our clients with access to the best financial services network in Africa.
For more information visit: Nedbank.co.za
About PwC:
At PwC (PwC.co.za), our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 223,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.
Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at PwC.co.za
About Woolworths Financial Services:
Woolworths Financial Services (goo.gl/3Jy36a) offers a range of financial solutions. Our Products and services include the Woolworths Store Card, Gold Credit Card, Black Credit Card, and Revolving Personal Loans.
Our Financial solutions are rooted in the same dedication to detail, reliability and guarantee of quality that you expect from Woolworths. That is the difference.
For more information visit: goo.gl/3Jy36a
About The Loudhailer:
The Loudhailer (TheLoudhailer.org) is a niche communication firm specializing in the structure, growth and optimization of communication functions for startups, investors, corporates and decision makers across Africa.
The Loudhailer is the Official PR & Marketing Partner of Startupbootcamp Africa
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