2020 VC4A Venture Showcase – Series A

CALLING FOR DISRUPTIVE SCALE-UPS LOOKING TO RAISE BETWEEN $500K AND $10M.

We’re looking for 10 innovative, high-growth scale-ups to showcase their solutions to the world. Are you operating in Africa, generating revenue and looking to raise your Series A round in the range of $500K and $10M? This is the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

In 2017-2019, we selected 60 scale-ups from across the continent as part of 4 showcase programs, resulting in a number of Series A deals totalling over $100M. Building on this success, the ‘VC4A Venture Showcase – Series A’ – in collaboration with AWS Activate – is now a central component of our efforts to support investors connecting with high-quality deal flow. This is an exclusive opportunity to introduce your company at once to everyone who’s anyone in Africa’s early-stage investment space.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being recognized as 2020 VC4A Venture Showcase entrepreneur
• Participation in the VC4A Venture Showcase deal room, including 150+ early-stage investor organizations
• Professional edited 3 minute virtual pitch
• 30 min deep-dive session with investors in a private room
• Mentorship and pitch training by partner VC investors
• AWS Activate offers selected cohort AWS credits ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, tools, resources, and more to quickly get started on AWS.
• Joining the alumni network and having exclusive access to fundraising opportunities

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• 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;
• You have a very strong management team of at least 3 people;
• 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 Series A investment in the range of $500K – $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.

*Are you raising your Seed Round in between $150K – $750K? Consider applying to the 2020 VC4A Venture Showcase – Seed track. Applications open July 1st.

OUR SELECTION CRITERIA

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.

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.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

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 2020 and be part of the VC4A Venture Showcase.

TIMELINE 2020

Program dates

September 15 - December 31, 2020

Accepting applications

Closes: August 14, 2020

For Application Details Visit https://vc4a.com/vc4a/2020-vc4a-venture-showcase-series-a/

Staff Writer

This article was written and edited by a staff writer.