The DEMO Africa team continues its innovation tours of various countries across Africa. Zimbabwe’s hypercube played host to the team recently which saw the tech-eco system in Zimbabwe get together for the all-important session.
From the Innovation tour session, Ali Hussein-a former judge in the 2013 DEMO Africa extensively explained what the panel expects of a product in order for it to get a chance to launch on the DEMO stage. Ali affirmed that the ultimate qualification is the ability of the innovated product to impact or change the marketplace into which it is introduced. With many ideas cropping up in every corner of the continent, he stressed the importance of the ideas meeting a real need hence practicability. Ali also mentioned the following:
- A clear business plan and a management team capable of delivering the product to market is a must. This is the pillar which supports the product to a successful entry into the market. The product must be ready. Judges are more convinced by ready products as opposed to simply ideas which carry a vision for implementation.
- The application must be completely pitched. Thus the importance of following the key steps as outlined in the application site which is being hosted by VC4 Africa. The business must be registered to ensure legality and viability of thriving in the business environment.
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“Beautiful ideas are cropping up every day, with all said and done every innovator must have the ability to link creativity, innovation and effectiveness. This is what will carry the day” Stressed Ali. The shortlisting process begins in July. The judging panel will comprise IT and Business experts drawn from various counties across the continent.
The application is still ongoing on and is expected to close on the 15th of June 2014. All the applications will be vetted by a panel of judges comprising experts in Tech and Business who will shortlist the best forty. The best forty will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe.
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Meanwhile, the DEMO Africa team continues with the innovation tours with Zambia’s Bongo-hive hosting the next tour on the 15th of May 2014. This history-making event is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. To submit an application to DEMO Africa, click here
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