Standard Bank and SeedStars World promote startups
Standard Bank, in partnership with the Mozambican startup UX Information Technologies, brings to Maputo, on 15th July, the SeedStars World, the world biggest startup competition for emerging markets, whose winner will attend the global event, which will take place in Switzerland, to compete for a prize worth up to 1.5 million US dollars.
At the event in Maputo, to be replicated in over 65 countries, including the Africans where Standard Bank operates, 12 Mozambican startups in operation less than two years, will compete with each other in order to represent the country at the annual SeedStars summit. Applications are now open and must be submitted through the portal http://www.seedstarsworld.com/event/seedstars-maputo-2016/, by using the code SSW_Maputo_2016.
The aim of the SeedStars World is to put the spotlighting on entrepreneurs from emerging markets, to identify the best startups and offer them opportunities for growth by providing mentorship and exposure to investors from around the world.
Last year, during its journey through several African countries, the SeedStarsWorld discovered in Mozambique, "a young but vibrant ecosystem, which resulted in a remarkable growth and development of startups in the country" according to Claudia Makadristo, representative of the organization.
After the success also achieved in South Africa, where SeedStars World, in collaboration with the Local Standard Bank, organized a major national competition, both parties will continue, this year, its partnership in Mozambique.
"We consider the African continent as our home, so we drive her growth. For this purpose, our strategy is to lead the banking sector and to be the bank of choice for Small and Medium Enterprises. Aligned with this purpose, the Standard Bank has a great interest in supporting the creation and sustainability of a business ecosystem in the country to ensure that potential entrepreneurs and established entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need to develop ", considers Victor Jardim, Standard Bank’s Director of Personal and Business Banking, who adds that "it is for these reasons why Standard Bank agreed to sponsor the local SeedStars event in Maputo."
In order to provide the best possible event and mentorship for local startups, the UX Information Technologies, the local ambassador Seedstars World, is organizing the event for the second time. Tiago Borges Coelho, co-founder of the company, says that "this is one of several initiatives promoted by UX in order to streamline the startup ecosystem in Mozambique. We look forward to see the transformative ideas that these young people will bring. "
The SeedStars World, which is looking for smart startups that can resolve regional problems with scalable solutions, has a strong network of international partners such as Inmarsat, INADEM, Standard Bank and Deloitte.