Harry Hare, executive director, DEMO Africa (right)
Startup event DEMO Africa has extended its application deadline for a week until June 22 after numerous requests to allow more time to meet the application requirements.
HumanIPO reported in March applications opened for the 2014 event, which will take place in Nigeria this year, the first time the event has moved outside of Kenya, while in April the team announced an innovation tour of numerous capitals across Africa.
Harry Hare, executive producer of DEMO Africa, said the extension was motivated by the need to assist startups who have been working hard to meet the application guidelines but had not managed to do so by the initial June 15 deadline.
“From experiences, there is always a last minute rush by startups to comply. By extending the deadline, we want to give more time for innovators to ensure that their efforts do not go to waste, thereby boosting their confidence, which is what we are about,” said Hare.
VC4Africa founder Ben White supported the move to extend the deadline.
“It’s always thrilling to see how hard entrepreneurs work on their applications and the jury has a tough job ahead of them. That said, many entrepreneurs have asked for more time to put their best foot forward. It’s a great opportunity for entrepreneurs on the sidelines to still get their hat in the ring, but they are going to have to move fast,” he said.
The applications will be looked through by an executive panel comprising experts in business and tech, who will then shortlist the best 40 from the hundreds of applications submitted from across the region.
The finalists will be chosen based on the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability. Names of the panel members will be released in the first week of July and Harry Hare assured continental representation in the selection panel.
