RiseUp Pairs Up With ITIDA to Launch "African App Launchpad Cup"

The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) is joining forces with RiseUp, the one-stop-shop for connecting startups in the MENA region with the most relevant and efficient resources worldwide, to launch "African App Launchpad Cup," a continent-wide competition invites startups working either in gaming or application development from 19 different African countries to participate in the contest for an opportunity to bag $60,000 in grants.

The African App Launchpad Cup is striving to set a global stage for thriving early-stage startups to present and pitch their business strategies to hundreds of regional and international investors. It is not only a pitch competition covering the entire continent, but also a valuable learning experience for participating entrepreneurs who will gain exposure by joining an accelerator programme, and will be granted exhibition spaces during RiseUp Summit. The participating startups will pitch to a wide audience of industry experts, local and regional venture capital firms and investors, with the winners set to be revealed during this year’s RiseUp Summit.

The competition is a part of the Africa App Launchpad, the presidential initative that targets building the capacity of 10,000 learners and creating 100 startups in an effort to position Egypt as a prominent hub in the African ecosystem.

“It is such a pleasure to be able to host the first African pitch competition in the region during RiseUp Summit. This is a step towards achieving our vision of creating more opportunities in the entrepreneurship ecosystem through connecting more stakeholders to the community in Africa. We would like to thank ITIDA for launching and sponsoring the competion and becoming the supporting arm behind the growth of Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem,” says Abdelhameed Sharara, CEO and founder of Riseup.

“We are excited to launch the African App Launchpad Cup, which will allow us to educate young African calibers and spur their innovation on the latest app and games technology, and additionally support the creation of job opportunities for African youth,” says Hala ElGohary, CEO of ITIDA.

To apply to the African App Launchpad Cup, click here.

RiseUp Summit tickets are now available here.