Deadline: October 25, 2017
Open call for European & African startups to apply to attend the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum. The European Commission wants to showcase their services and technology during the 6th EU‐Africa Business Forum (EABF) taking place on 27th of November at Palais de la Culture, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The 6th EABF is aimed at increasing investments with development impact in Africa. The startups will have the opportunity to showcase their services and technology to investors and decision makers during a Startup Fair and expect a number of side events dedicated to entrepreneurship, digital economy, energy and agriculture.
About
The 6th EU‐Africa Business Forum will be held on 27 November 2017 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, host country of the 5th African Union-European Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. The Forum concludes a series of business-related events held in Africa and Europe in the course of 2017 in preparation to the 5th African Union-European Union Summit.
With its overarching theme being “investing in job creation for youth”, the Business Forum will look at the challenges and opportunities for investment in Africa along four strategic priorities of the EU-Africa cooperation, such as renewable energy, agribusiness, infrastructure and the digital economy, and will aim to provide solutions, particularly for the growing number of young and female entrepreneurs.
Female and youth entrepreneurship will be considered a cross-cutting theme in all discussions in the Forum and will also be subject to a specific thematic session with a strong focus on ensuring decent work and quality jobs for young people and women.
Benefits
The European Commission is covering the travel and accommodation cost of 50 EU and 50 African based digital entrepreneurs to showcase their services and technology during the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum.
Arrival in Abidjan on 25 November, accommodation is covered for 25th, 26th and 27th November. Return is on 28th of November. For the EU startups, the flights will be covered for Brussels <-> Abidjan routes.
Eligibility
Open to European and African Startups
- Are you ready to scale up in EU or Africa?
- Is there a large, growing market to play in?
- Do you already have a well-tested / functioning solution?
- Is the solution a potential “category winner”?
- What has been done to date?
- Do you already have investors?
- Had you received a prize?
Selection criteria
- SECTOR: All start-ups using digital technologies are invited to apply, though especially we would like to see start-ups from the following areas: Finance, Health, Education, Agriculture and Fisheries, Energy, E-Commerce, Government, Climate, and Connectivity.
- DISRUPTION: Is the start-up clearly solving an important or a very big problem? Is it a “me too” copy of an existing start-up?
The selection committee will ensure that selected start-ups will come from throughout the various countries of Africa and EU.
Application
Complete the online application.
Your submission will be evaluated by a select committee of representatives of European Commission, African Union, Startup Europe Africa Network, Orange and Wayra. Deadline for submissions has been extended until 25th of October, 12:00 CET, due to an increased number of applications. The application also involves a pitch deck of max. 10 MB. The winners will be announced on the 31st of October.
For more information, 6th EU-Africa Business Forum.
