The AiDiA finalists have been announced!
These 8 teams will go through to the final of the first Afro-German Startup Pitch.
On 3 September 2022, 8 selected startups will present their business ideas for the first time on the AiDiA stage in front of a live audience of startup enthusiasts, investors, a top-class jury and all the people who want to help shape innovation and diversity in the German economy.
The AiDiA application process started in April 2022, marking the beginning of an exciting journey, not only for many talented startups who want to conquer the world with their smart AiDiAs (pronounced "ideas"), but also for the AiDIA team, which has been working passionately on the realisation of the pitch event for 2 years. With AiDiA (pronounced "ideas"), we are pursuing the goal of making forward-looking ideas from Afro-German start-ups more visible and providing them with a springboard for their business growth through access to resources and a network of smart business minds and "opportunity-seekers".
We received a total of 60 applications. 60 promising AiDiAs that stood out with their outstanding quality, making the selection of the finalists no easy task. During the selection process, the AiDiA team was supported by our Advisory Board consisting of respected industry experts. From 20 applications, they selected 6 teams for the final. The pitch competition is divided into two categories: The Founder Pitch - for startups in the growth phase and the Idea Pitch for startups in the idea phase.
The decision was very close in both categories. The Advisory Board assessed the submitted applications according to the following criteria: Economic viability, creativity, founder personalities, creativity and professionalism.
In addition, 2 teams were able to secure a GOLDEN TICKET for direct entry into the final as part of an Instagram community vote. The support and enthusiasm within the community was great, as shown by the more than 130,000 views for the 10 mini pitch videos from our start-ups.
And these are the first finalists of the first Afro-German Startup Pitch:
Founder Pitch category:
"Tebalou is a curated online shop for children's books and toys with a claim to diversity.
"Ohemaa Greenhousing converts plastic waste into an innovative building material and uses it to build affordable homes."
"LITTLE ASHÉ organic rag dolls of colour enable BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) to develop their self-identification from an early age."
"V-Tay is a content-based app to promote the personal development and mental health of young people."
"Miniglotte are learning boxes that help children up to the age of 3 to learn languages through play."
Idea Pitch category:
"With Elephants Ear, the first literature portal and a network for literature with an African connection is to be established in German-speaking countries."
"DE _CONSTRUCT is a digital training platform that trains people working in the psychosocial field in racism-critical and racism-sensitive counselling and therapy and connects them with those affected."
"With EARTHLINGS, we are working towards offering and building environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes in Ghana."
A total of 5 start-ups are competing in the Founder Pitch category and have the chance to secure the main prize of €30,000. The 3 start-ups in the Idea Pitch category want to convince with their idea in order to obtain expert feedback and secure personal and professional support for the further development of their idea.
We look forward to seeing how these start-ups will change the German economy in the future and make it more diverse.
Get ready for a pitch event full of inspiration, visions, interesting personalities and a comprehensive entertainment package. Register for the Newsletter so as not to miss the start of ticket sales and further updates.
Get excited and get inspired by ground-breaking AiDiAs!
The Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is an independent panel of experts that reviews the applications submitted to AiDiA. The members are
- Cathérine Ngoli, Consultant for personnel and corporate development, expert for diversity, inclusion and empowerment
- Davis Eisape, Expert for transformation, start-up development, platform business models and leadership
- Woundioun Sissoko, Start-up founder and CEO
The AiDiA Pitch Event will take place on 3 September 2022 in the Miralles Saal, Mittelweg 42 in Hamburg.