Seedstars announces its annual Summit under the theme Billion

Seedstars has announced its annual summit slated for March 3^rd, 2016 at the Swiss Tach Convetion Center a EPFL, Lausanne under the theme “Billion”. The global organization with the mission of impacting people’s lives in emerging market through entrepreneurship and technology launched its third edition of the Seedstars World competition in April 2015.

More than 3’000 startups from Eastern and Central Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America applied to participate in Seedstars World. The international team covered 54 countries, scouting for the best startups around the world and all 54 finalists have been selected to participate in a two day bootcamp, an Investor Forum and the Finals of Seedstars World.

A two day bootcamp will have these startups interact with international investors & mentors from top accelerators like The​ Founder’s Institute​ and 500​ startups,​from business strategy consultancies as well as top managers, such as Filippo Bonsanti, Director of Marketing Strategy at Ebay​ or​ Jose Achache, Managing Director at AP​-Swiss,​will coach them on their business model, pitching skills and growth strategy.

“BILLION​”​is the main theme of the Seedstars Summit this year.

“Most​ people don’t really associate emerging markets to a billion of opportunities and we’re here to show them that these markets are already transforming into centres of innovation where talented people and changemakers grow”argues Alisée de Tonnac, CEO at Seedstars World.

The “Seedstars World Global Winner” will be named at the finals of Seedstars World and will receive up to USD 500,000 (1,717,500,000 UGX) in equity investment. The best startups in other sectors such as travel and space will also be rewarded with equity investments and grants. Around​ 1000 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporate executives, business angels, government officials, journalists and startup enthusiasts are expected to join for an amazing experience in Switzerland.

This year, in addition to the $500,000 (1,717,500,000 UGX) investment track prize for the Seedstars World Global​ Winner a new track was added this year. This Travel investment track is powered by lastminute​.com group,​ who will invest up to USD​ 500,000 (1,717,500,000 UGX) in the best travel startup, accelerating the startup’s growth with their industry know-how and long standing expertise in the industry. Inmarsat​ & AP​-Swiss will also award a USD​ 50,000 (171,750,000 UGX) grant to the best startup developing an application or services leveraging satellite technology. HUBLOT, ​the​ official Timekeeper, will​ reward the most innovative startup with a watch of considerable value of USD​ 20,000 (68,700,000 UGX).

“They​ tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds” Mexican proverb