Seedstars, Uber start-up competition nears

Seedstars World will hold its prestigious start-up competition in partnership with Lagos Startup Week and Uber.

The week-long event for start-ups in Nigeria will culminate into a pitching competition for 10-15 Nigerian companies to identify the best early stage start-up in Nigeria.

Between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday, July 28th, every participating entrepreneur will have 15 minutes to blow an investor’s mind in the back of an Uber. The basic criteria for interested entrepreneurs are: Companies need to be at the seed-stage, be less than 2 years old, have less than USD 500’000 in funding and need to be able to show an MVP or prototype.

On July 28th, entrepreneurs in Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1 and Yaba will have the opportunity to request a special ride, which is a car with a top-notch investor and the chance to win a one-on-one meeting with the investor and the last open spot for the Seedstars World competition on July 31st.

This rock’n’roll tour around Lagos will give entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their idea to top notch VCs, get their immediate feedback, win a second in person meeting with the investors and a fast-track entry into Seedstars, Lagos. Tomi Davies, President of the African Business Angels Network, and other top Lagos investors will be waiting to hear your pitch.

“We’re thrilled about partnering with Uber and giving every entrepreneur in Lagos with a great startup and 15 minutes of time the opportunity to win a last minute spot at our competition as well as meetings with top notch investors“ says Marcello Schermer, regional manager Africa at Seedstars World.

“With this partnership, we are giving entrepreneurs unprecedented access and opportunities to meet with the best and most influential investors in Lagos” Schermer adds.

EbiAtawodi, general manager, Uber Lagos said:

“Uber is about empowering people – the heart of our business is a fusion of technology and entrepreneurship. UberPitch is an new and exciting way for us to help showcase the entrepreneurship spirit and talent of Lagos. Together Uber&Seedstar World are really giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to potentially take their business ideas to the next level.”

“This would be an engaging experience for start-ups during Lagos Start-up Week. It is an opportunity for early-stage companies to hone their pitch, meet investors and possibly get funded with just a single tap“ says Olumide Olayinka, member, organising team, Lagos StartupWeek .

HOW IT WORKS
● Download the Uber app for iPhone, Android, or Blackberry
● Enter the promo code LAGOSPITCH to open the uberPITCH view
● On July 28th, between 11am – 3pm request the uberPITCH option via your app
● It’s fastest fingers first when requesting uberPITCH
● If connected, you’ll have 10 minutes to pitch your idea
● Rides are free and will start and end at your pickup location
● uberPITCH is only available in Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1 and Yaba