This year, BongoHive has partnered with Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme (SAIS) to scout the most potential early-stage startup in Zambia! This provides a chance for one Zambian startup to travel to Slush. Slush is one of the leading tech startup conferences in Helsinki, Finland. In 2017, Slush gathered over 20,000 attendees including investors, startups and the actors in the global tech industry. The Zambian startup will be selected to attend Slush after pitching at the Connected Hubs Pitch Event in Lusaka, Zambia.

The chosen early-stage startup has a chance to build their business in Slush Global Impact Accelerator (GIA). Slush Global Impact Accelerator (GIA) is a program created in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and other multiple partners globally. The purpose is to support impact startups and showcase the exciting business opportunities in emerging markets, which are also vital for implementing the Agenda 2030 and solving complex challenges.

SAIS will sponsor the selected startup to join GIA and the impact-minded entrepreneurs from emerging markets to bring their business to the next level. Online training in September-December gives the startups a boost in, among other areas, business development and pitching. The training culminates in the GIA Bootcamp and Slush in Helsinki from Nov 27-Dec 6, 2018.

We are looking for startups who:

· Solve a societal problem with their solution in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

· Have at least a working prototype

· Have piloted their business model and can show some traction

· Have a skilled team and the drive to succeed

If that sounds like you, apply between 16th June and 19th July 2018 and stand a chance to be one of 15 startups to pitch at the Connected Hubs Pitch Event on 26th July 2018 at BongoHive. An esteemed panel of coaches will select top (3) three startups to move on to the interview stage, and ultimately the most driven and promising startup wins the main prize: participation in a one-of-a-kind coaching program and an all-expenses paid trip to Slush in Finland!

Feeling like you might not be ready to pitch yet? Does your business model need some work still? All aspiring entrepreneurs and curious early-stage startups are welcome to learn about business models and the basics in pitching in a Connected Hubs Coaching Session on 12 July 2018 at BongoHive. This session is open for all!