Seedstars And Financial Times Launch $500,000 Challenge For Early-stage Startups
Seedstars and Financial Times launch $500,000 challenge for early-stage startups
To launch the first-ever Financial Times Sustainable Development Goals Challenge, tech startup accelerator Seedstars teamed up with global business news organization, Financial Times, to create the Financial Times Sustainable Development Goals Challenge. Using learning and funding opportunities, the challenge aims to provide promising, impact-driven startups and entrepreneurs with an advantage.
It is intended for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs from emerging markets such as Nigeria and other African countries, among other places. They will be expected to prefer innovative solutions that will aid in the resolution of issues that are impeding the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The organizers hope that by hosting this challenge, they will raise awareness of global problems while also empowering the startups and entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to these problems. Seedstars will be expected to bring its eight-year experience in organizing the Seedstars World Competition to bear on the competition.
Slade, who is also the Financial Times' Chief Commercial Officer, believes that the Financial Times' partnership with Seedstars represents a game-changing opportunity for both organizations to collaborate and make a positive impact towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Only 150 participants will be chosen from the total number of submissions. They will be asked to solve real-world business problems and present innovative strategies that are focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Gender equality, climate action, quality education – supported by the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR), good jobs and economic growth, reduced inequalities, and good health and well-being are some of the topics that have been chosen for the competition.
Total access to Seedstars' Investment Readiness Sessions will be provided for one month as part of the challenge prize. After that, there will be a five-day program that will include workshops, masterclasses, talks, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The Financial Times and Seedstars will be hosting these events, which will be moderated by industry experts.
After the events, the winning startups will be selected and fast-tracked into the Seedstars Investments Fund, where they will have the opportunity to raise as much as $500,000 in funding.
A statement from Alisee De Tonnac, CEO of Seedstars, stated that the tech startup accelerator was "thrilled" to announce the launch of the SDG Challenge in partnership with the Financial Times. In addition, she stated that her team has been organizing the Seedstars World Competition in order to support and invest in impact-driven entrepreneurs from emerging markets, and that this challenge is an extension of that goal.
What to Expect
In collaboration with the Financial Times, we are confident that this mission can be amplified through the FTxSDG Challenge. Our combined efforts will provide entrepreneurs with even more resources, as well as a larger global community of expert mentors and investors, Alisee expressed excitement.
