As DEMO Africa wrapped up last week, a handful of startups prepared for the next step of their journey – Silicon Valley. Thanks to the U.S. State Department and LIONS@FRICA partnership (Global Entrepreneurship Week is one of its founding partners), five African startups will receive 10-day trips to pitch their ideas at DEMO Fall during GEW this November. Nick Vilelle, GEW’s Director for African Initiatives, was on hand in Lagos to watch the competition unfold and sent us the update below.
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Everyone at DEMO Africa 2014 was a winner during its fantastic 3rd edition. DEMO Africa 2014 took place in Lagos, Nigeria and saw entrepreneurs from 12 different African countries vie for the interest and more importantly the investment of the venture capitalists and angels in the crowd.
The entrepreneurs began arriving on Monday September 22, with a BoomCamp hosted by Venture Hive taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday to help refine the pitches that would be presented on stage. On Wednesday, there was the LIONS@FRICA Summit and an Investor Summit put on by VC4Africa.
All of these events led up to the big DEMO days on September 25 and 26. Despite all of the pressure, the entrepreneurs took control of their nerves when they took the stage. Inspirational pitches, innovative technology, and camaraderie are the best way to sum up DEMO Africa 2014.
SaiSai of Zimbabwe took home the first prize of the night, winning the SWELL Award, which includes an all-expense paid trip to Silicon Valley, courtesy of SWELL and supported by the African Technology Foundation.
Finally, the U.S. State Department awarded 5 entrepreneurs will an all-expense paid trip to pitch their businesses at DEMO Fall in Silicon Valley. This was done through the LIONS@FRICA Partnership. Winners were, from left, Chura (Kenya), Space Pointe (Nigeria), Jifunza (Rwanda), Paysail(Ghana) and Nerve Mobile (Nigeria).
This story was originally posted on Africa.co