This year, Microsoft will support the annual DEMO Africa startup competition through its 4Afrika Initiative. This year will be the 4th year running that the Redmond Company has given its support to the competition, which acts as a platform for showcasing the very best of Africa’s startup entrepreneurs. Microsoft began supporting the competition back in 2012.
The participants in the DEMO Africa competition emanate from within the African continent. They pitch their home-grown solutions to challenges facing the socio-economic environment around them.
“By supporting the growth of startups with disruptive innovations that solve major challenges in Africa today, we are laying the foundation for the creation of globally competitive businesses,” said Amrote Abdella, the director of Startup Engagement and Partnerships at 4Africa Initiatives.
Harry Hare, the executive producer of DEMO Africa, showed his appreciation for the support from Microsoft by saying: “It is actions by different players that will see technology entrepreneurship effectively bringing sustainability to entrepreneurship across Africa.”
The African inventors and innovators entering the competition must have an idea falling under the following categories:
*Education
*Finance and Banking
*Transport and Logistics
*Communication and Media
*Entertainment
The DEMO Africa 2015, like last year will be held in Lagos, Nigeria starting September 21-25. The event is said to be graced by the attendance of over 500 world class and seasoned entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Big names expected to speak at the event include Jason Njoku – Founder of iROKO TV, Harry Tomi Davies – ABAN President, and Jorn Lyseggen – founder of MEST among others.
