African startups can now apply for Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) 2021
The Extreme Tech Challenge XTC is the world’s largest social innovation startup competition which has been enabling innovators unleash their full potential. It offers startups and innovators global visibility by offering a platform to pitch their startups to thousands of tech leaders and investors at regional and global competitions. It enables startups raise capital by giving them Access to leading investors, helps them collaborate with global corporations, CVCs, and VCs and Work with industry leaders and experts who can help shape your startup for success.
XTC 2021 will see African startups also participate at the event and get the opportunity to showcase Africa’s innovators at the global stage. The competition is both sector and stage-agnostic; hence, Africa-focused as well as African-founded startups at any stage are welcome to register.
The opportunity for African startups to participate comes as a result of the partnership between EchoVC (a technology-focused early-stage VC firm focused on unapologetically investing in underrepresented founders and underserved markets) and Atlantica Ventures (a team with strong technology, data science, operational, and investment experience, with a sole focus to support Founders through different growth cycles, pivots, expansion, and capital raising efforts) with the creators of the Extreme Tech Challenge.
This collaboration will make it the first time that African startups will be represented in the XTC competition and three qualified startups will be able to participate in the 2021 global XTC event. These three finalists will come from the initial ten selected startups that apply. The competition accepts startups in Agritech, Fintech, smart cities, Edtech, Cleantech, Healthtech, mobility/ logistics, and enabling technologies and interested startups can apply here. The portal for the first stage is open until April 2, 2021. The next stage where 10 startups will be selected is on April 16, while the final three will be chosen on April 23 ahead of the main event which will be held virtually during the summer.