This is a call for all entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas in the LaunchLab Ideas Programme - winning ideas stand the chance to win seed funding, incubation support and access to a network of clients.
Nedbank Stellenbosch University LaunchLab, together with partners, Nedbank, Mercedes-Benz SA and WineTech have officially launched the second season of its 2018 programme with the aim of accelerating entrepreneurs and startup founders to begin to build from their vision, turning it into a reality to prosper in Africa.
Get connected
LaunchLab’s mission is to facilitate valuable connections for startups and corporates, as well as other relevant business partners to help those startups excel.
The programme is intended primarily for very early-stage businesses looking to validate their concepts or improve their technology offering to their market.
LaunchLab provides access to its client network who are actively looking for startups to partner with, which aids in the validation process.
LaunchLab is looking for startup business ideas in multiple industries, including but not limited to:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Pitch how you think AI will impact our world with your exciting concept.Advanced Manufacturing: This is another opportunity for engineers and data scientists to make an impact on the manufacturing sector in South Africa.Agritech and Food Innovations: Pitch your innovations in the wine industry and related industries for Winetech.Insurtech: Pitch your ideas of what the future of insurance will look like.Safety: Help make South Africans safer with your innovative concept.Fintech: Disruptive technologies in the financial services industry that can transform the way people interact with money.Blockchain: Each industry that mainly acts as a middleman between producers and customers of immaterial or digital goods and services is vulnerable to being replaced by a peer-to-peer system supported by the Blockchain. Tell us how you will do this.Education: Help Stellenbosch University to identify innovative edutech solutions that can help contribute to new models of education to empower students to create jobs and add value to a broader society.Cleantech: The world is on a drive to sustainability and South Africa is no different. Submit your ideas to help South Africa harness its natural resources better and recycle what has already used.Internet of Things (IoT): Connected devices means more information to make lives easier and more efficient. Help clients with your IoT concepts that can transform their supply chains and make customers lives better.Social Enterprises: Do you have a business idea which can have a big impact and benefit those that need it most but still be a viable business? Take advantage of this opportunity to pitch it.This programme helps new concepts and potential businesses validate their concepts with real market players and starts their journey towards the maturity required to acquire customers and obtain investment.
Get pitching!
Submission requirements: Submit a three-minute video (mobile footage can be submitted) of yourself explaining your business idea with your entry form which can be found on the LaunchLab website.
Submissions are open and the deadline for online submission entries is 28 September 2018. The top ten finalists will be notified by the second week in October. Pitches will be shortlisted and be taken through a process to determine which 10-15 businesses we will take into our incubation programme, to develop towards engaging with our clients.
For more, go to www.launchlab.co.za
