Global seed-stage startup competition Seedstars World will return to South Africa for the third time on June 30 with an event in Cape Town as it seeks startups to compete at its global final in Switzerland next year.
Seedstars World has expanded to include more than 50 countries in the developing world this year, and held its first African event of the year in Mozambique last month.
The event, which will take place at the Space Theatre at 22seven, will see up to 12 of the best startups in South Africa pitch for a place at the final, with Francesco Signoretti, chief executive officer (CEO) of the lastminute.comgroup, attending event as a jury member.
Other jury members include Andre De Wet, CEO of Pricecheck.co.za, and Xanthea Limberg, Mayoral Committee member at the City of Cape Town.
“Seedstars World is a platform connecting investors to the next generation of startup entrepreneurs, pulling the spotlight away from Silicon Valley and Western Europe. We honestly think the best way to have an impact in emerging countries is by investing and promoting entrepreneurship”, said Alisée de Tonnac, Seedstars World CEO.
“We look forward to seeing how the different startup scenes have evolved in a year and we are excited to discover the new startups in South Africa.”
Marcello Schermer, regional manager for Africa at Seedstars World, told Disrupt Africa the organisation was honoured to be returning to Cape Town, “South Africa’s Silicon Valley”.
“We have a gorgeous venue, a highly competent jury and a strong lineup of partners to support the entrepreneurs. I’m really looking forward to the event,” he said.
Vuyisa Qabaka, ambassador for South Africa, said the country’s tech talent was “world class”.
“This country has given the world the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Shuttleworth and Stafford Massie, and this competition is an opportunity to discover the next generation of innovators,” he said.
David Gluckman, co-founder of Lumkani, which won last year’s event, said being South Africa’s representative at Seedstars World in Geneva was an “incredible experience”.
“Meeting the world’s top startup talent and creating a global network has, to this day, assisted me personally and professionally. The Seedstars family is an important one to be part of,” he said.
