Washington-based Global Incubator and Seed Fund firm, 1776 in partnership with investment firm Revolution, an active champion for the emergence of entrepreneurial communities and startups – will hold a pitch event at tech-incubation hub iHub giving a chance for startups to pitch their ideas to a panel of selected judges to stand a chance of competing on a global stage with startups from 75 other cities.
Notably, the global Challenge Cup competition seeks to find innovative startups solving the world’s most complex and challenging problems often overlooked with respect to venture funding and access to entrepreneurial resources.
The best startup out of Nairobi wins a free trip to New York City for the Global Final round of Challenge Cup set for November this year to compete for the grand prize as well as spend time with the investors, customers, media and other key connections that can help them succeed on a global scale.
1776 Challenge Cup earlier this year selected 5 African cities that will host its 4th annual global challenge cup. Accra, Ghana held its pitch event first at the iSpace Foundation in May, followed by Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at Ice Addis in July, iHub pitch event follows on August 22nd, Nigeria, Lagos on August 25th at Leadpace, and finally Kampala, Uganda at Hive Colab on September 7th.
Notably, 1776 closed its submission for Startups in Kampala which was on August 18th. Only expected startups will be expected to pitch come September 7th.
Since its birth, 1776 has crowed MUrgency; a Dubai-based company that uses the power of mobile technology and networks to create one seamless global emergency response network as winners of the 2016 Global Challenge Cup while Twiga Foods; a mobile-based supply platform for Africa’s retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls – from Mombasa won the 2015 Global Challenge Cup.
With an ‘Honorable Mention’, Uganda’s based on-demand laundry service app, Yoza in 2016 emerged winners in the People’s Choice award category at the 1776 Global Startup Challenge after their successful nomination in the category. Their win got them an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C where they pitched alongside 69 other entrepreneurs to compete in the 1776 Global Startup Challenge final round.