VC4A Venture Showcase Africa – Women founder edition: Africa Showcase of women founder scale-ups looking to raise Seed to Series A. Apply below!
Table of Contents
When is the Application Deadline:
27th May 2022
Tell Me About VC4A Venture Showcase Africa 2022 – Women founder edition:
We’re looking for up to 16 women founders leading innovative, high-growth scale-ups to showcase to the global network of Africa-focused investors. Are you operating in Africa, generating revenue, and looking to raise between $250K and $10M? This is the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
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According to the Africa: The Big Deal report, in 2021 93% of the funding in Africa went to startups led by male CEOs. Looking at the makeup of founding teams, over 99% of the funding in 2021 was raised by a single male founder, or a founding team with at least one male co-founder.
Based on this knowledge and as a community member dedicated to supporting the startup ecosystem, VC4A now opens a call dedicated to women-led startups from across the African continent. If you are leading a fast growing startup with clear impact potential and you are in the process of scaling up your activities in the region, then apply.
As part of the program, companies get visibility within a curated investor network and are interviewed by leading VC funds as part of the vetting process. The finalists receive mentorship and technical advice directly from the angel investors, VC fund managers and Corporates that participate in the program. The Venture Showcase is an effective way to get visibility for your fundraising campaign and to connect with prospective investors. Last but not least, this is a great opportunity to share and learn from your peers and build long-lasting relationships with them.
In 2017-2021, VC4A has selected 90 scale-ups as part of 6 showcase programs in emerging markets, resulting in a number of deals totalling over $400M. This is an exclusive opportunity to introduce your company to leading investors backing great startups from across Africa. So please don’t hesitate and start your application now!
Which Fields are Eligible?
Sector agnostic
What Type of Scholarship is this?
Entrepreneurship
Who can apply for VC4A Venture Showcase Africa 2022 – Women founder edition?
- You have a very strong management team of at least 3 people including one (or more) woman founder;
- Your company is for-profit and registered as an independent legal entity;
- You have a product or service available on the market and generate revenue;
- Your product or service is clearly innovative and/or your business model is new, disruptive and designed for scale;
- Your team is based in one or more countries on the African continent;
- At least one of the founders has an African nationality;
- You are seeking Seed or Series A investment in the range of $250K – $10M;
- While there will be exceptions, most likely your startup has already received external investment, structured as either debt or equity, or received grants from donor organizations.
How are Applicants Selected?
Commercial Value of your Product/Service (25%)
Your company addresses a real problem in the market. Your product or service is different from others in the industry. Your business model is new and designed for scale.
Strategy for Growth (25%)
The market size is significant and there is potential to expand locally and into new markets. Your startup is scalable and has a clear strategy for growth. You can show demonstrable progress.
Management Team (25%)
Your team has the qualifications needed to make the business successful. Management team members have complementary expertise.
Market Traction & Financials (25%)
We will evaluate your market traction, revenue streams, and unit economics. If any outside funding has been raised before, it’s a plus.
Which Countries are Eligible?
Where will Award be Taken?
How Many Positions are open?
Up to 16
What is the Value of VC4A Venture Showcase Africa 2022 – Women founder edition?
- Being recognized as 2022 VC4A Venture Showcase entrepreneur
- Participation in the VC4A Venture Showcase deal room, including 200+ early-stage investor organizations
- Professionally edited 3-minute virtual pitch featured at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (November 2-4, 2022)
- 30 min deep-dive session with investors in a private room
- Mentorship and technical support by partnering VC investors and corporates
- AWS Activate offers selected cohort credits, tools, resources, and more to quickly get started on AWS
- Joining the alumni network and having exclusive access to partner events and fundraising opportunities
Expectations
If you are selected for the Showcase, you are expected to:
- Engage with assigned mentors (partner VC investors) and VC4A team to prepare your 3-minute and 20-minute presentations, as well as 2-pagers with investor data as part of the deal book;
- Be prepared to pitch and engage with VC investors in the period of October – November 2022 and be part of the VC4A Venture Showcase and the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2022 (#AESIS2022).
How Long will the Program Last?
Aug 1 – Nov 6
Timeline:
| Jun 1 – Jul 22 | Selection process / investor review / interviews |
| Jul 26 | Showcase cohort selection (internal) |
| Aug – Nov | Mentorship program with VC investors |
| Oct – Nov | Technical sessions with VC investors |
| Nov 2-4 | Showcase at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit |
How to Apply for VC4A Venture Showcase Africa 2022 – Women founder edition:
It is important to go through all application requirements before applying.
Goodluck!
