Call for applications: African startup competition in the US

The NVC is a pitch challenge for early-stage ventures and is designed to showcase a new generation of innovators across various industries, including music.

The contest offers participants a chance to win up to $10 000 in non-equity financing and network with top founders and investors from across Africa. The semi-finalists will participate in masterclasses aimed at establishing a healthy business, while selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their startup at the Wharton Africa Business Forum on 6 November in front of a panel of esteemed judges.

Eligibility 

To be eligible to participate in the NVC, founders must meet the following criteria:

• Pre-seed or seed (business must have raised no more than $150 000).
• The company must have less than three years of operation and no more than 50 employees.
• The business must primarily be serving the African market although the business doesn’t have to be domiciled in Africa.

The deadline for applications is 12 September at 5.59pm CAT and consists of eight sections:

• Background.
• Founding team experience: Does the current team have the required skills for execution?
• Product-market fit: Is there a demonstrated need or gap in the market that the startup’s solutions solve for? Is the total addressable market substantial enough to make this a lucrative investment opportunity?
• Market landscape: What other solutions exist today that also solve the identified problem? Does the startup have any competitive advantages or moats?
• Business model: Has the startup shown any traction? Is there evidence to validate that the current business model can produce attractive returns and is also scalable?
• Pitch deck (optional).
• Recognition (optional).
• 60-second video pitch (optional).

Note: The application form must be completed in one sitting, and applicants are encouraged to use the preview questions to prepare their responses.

About Wharton Africa Business Forum

The Wharton Africa Business Forum is the longest-running Africa-focused business conference in the US. Since the inaugural forum in 1992, the conference has welcomed thought leaders, dignitaries, CEOs, visionaries and young professionals from around the world to discuss important African affairs. 

For enquiries, send an email to cfoudjet@wharton.upenn.edu.

View the original call here.