Kenyan startups can win a spot at the Kenyan leg of the Seedstars World competition by taking part in #UberSeed over the next two days, with entrepreneurs invited to record their pitches in the back of an Uber for a chance to take part.
Disrupt Africa reported last week Seedstars World opened applications for the Kenyan leg of the contest on October 2, following previous editions in Mozambique; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Ivory Coast;Rwanda; and Uganda.
One more startup will be selected to take part based on the results of #UberSeed. Between now and tomorrow (Tuesday, September 22) at 9am, anyone taking an Uber ride in Nairobi is invited to record themselves on their phone introducing their driver and making a 60-second business pitch from the back of an Uber.
Pitches must then be posted on the Seedstars World Facebook page tagging Uber Nairobi and using the hashtag #UberSeed. The winner will be announced on Tuesday morning and invited to the Seedstars World event.
“We’re thrilled about partnering with Uber. Together we are giving every entrepreneur in Nairobi who has a great startup the opportunity to win a last minute spot at our competition. We are excited to see what ideas come out of Nairobi,” said Marcello Schermer, regional manager for Africa at Seedstars World.
“Uber is about empowering people – the heart of our business is a fusion of technology and entrepreneurship. This is a new and exciting way for us to help showcase the talent of Nairobi. Together Uber and Seedstars World are really giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their business ideas to the next level,” said Alastair Curtis of Uber Nairobi.
The two companies already ran a similar initiative ahead of the Lagos leg of the competition in July, with the winning startup invited to pitch at the Nigerian leg of the event. Uber ran a similar campaign in Nairobi at the same time, offering investors the chance to pitch from the back of a taxi for Uber credits and a place in the PIVOT East workshops. The competition was won by KejaHunt.
