Press Release
15 June 2022
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Office Rwanda, KN 41 St 17, Kigali
+250 784 111 901
rwanda@invest-for-jobs.com
Pitch event: 27 African start-ups showcase their businesses after completing the Smart Cities Innovation Programme
Green mobility in African capitals, solar-powered cooling technology, or micro-banking services for low-income households – these are just three examples of how African innovation can benefit the smart urban future and citizen of the continent. A total of 27 start-ups that focus on such smart cities innovations will showcase their achievements and investment readiness on 20 June 2022 at 16:00-20:00 (CAT) during a virtual Demo Day. The start-ups have successfully completed the Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) – a nine-months-long accelerator programme supported by the German and Rwandan governments, as well as a range of private and public partners, including Siemens, Volkswagen, University of Rwanda and many more.
Investors, corporates, entrepreneurship support organisations and fellow start-ups are invited to the virtual Demo Day to meet and greet with the founders that participated in the programme. Registration is now open at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demo-day-smart-cities-innovation-programme-registration-342124422357.
During the event, the five most investment-ready start-ups will get to pitch their products, while the remaining start-ups will compete for two awards: best business model and top market scale. It will offer a deeper insight into the development of the start-ups over the course of SCIP.
As part of the programme, smart cities start-ups participated in online and offline training and exchanges – meeting physically for a week-long bootcamp in Kigali, a pilot city for smart innovation – and received continuous in-depth coaching and mentoring to further grow their business and polish up their products and services. Now, after completing the programme, it is time for them to showcase their achievements and investment readiness.
The Smart Cities Innovation Programme is an accelerator programme implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation – known under the brand Invest for Jobs – and Make-IT in Africa.
About Make-IT in Africa
Make-IT in Africa believes in the catalytic power of African innovation and digital technologies for green and inclusive development. In close collaboration with digital visionaries like start-ups, innovation enablers and political partners, we empower African innovation ecosystems. Together, we aim to strengthen an environment in which the full potential of African digital innovation can unfold.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implements this project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). For further information visit our website: make-it.africa
About Invest for Jobs
Under the Invest for Jobs brand, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has put together a package of measures to support German, European and African companies in investment activities that have a high impact on employment in Africa. The Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation –the official title – offers comprehensive advice, contacts and financial support to overcome investment barriers. The development objective is to team up with companies to create good jobs and training opportunities in the partner countries, of which there are currently eight, including Rwanda, and to preserve them during the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim is also to improve local working conditions.
The Special Initiative is implemented by GIZ among others. Further information is available at www.invest-for-jobs.com.
