With a call for projects launched on July 1 and closed on August 31, the second edition of the MED’INNOVANT AFRICA 2020 competition particularly aroused the interest of African entrepreneurs and innovators. Nearly 180 applications were received in the space of two month.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- Aimed at African startups and project leaders, MED’INNOVANT AFRICA aims to support the development of innovative solutions to make the Mediterranean and African cities of tomorrow more sustainable and resilient. Technological innovations are developing exponentially there, thus stimulating the deployment of new uses and the creation of start-ups.
- Aware of this great opportunity, the Public Establishment of Euroméditerranée Development took an interest in African tech from 2018 by opening its MED’INNOVANT competition to African entrepreneurs before launching, in 2019, an edition intended more particularly for start-ups. African-ups that offer innovative solutions in the field of “smart cities”.
- For 2020, MED’INNOVANT AFRICA has placed resilience at the heart of its approach, in response in particular to the challenges of development and land use planning capable of overcoming shocks and bouncing back by offering innovative solutions (pandemic, COVID 19, etc. ).
- Through this challenge, the Public Establishment of Euroméditerranée Planning continues its policy of openness towards the African continent with the objective of sourcing project leaders as creative as the two 2019 winners: SEN ‘Or’Dur and Promagric.
MED’INNOVANT AFRICA 2020 In Numbers
- A competition that affects the entire African continent with a margin of improvement of + 42% compared to 2018 and 2019.
• Almost 180 applications filed on the www.medinnovantafrica.fr platform, including nearly 76% of start-ups.
• A varied geographical representation (27 countries represented)
• A variety of topics covered (energy, digital, social and solidarity economy, etc.).
• A large number of female candidates (25% entrepreneurs).
On December 7 and 8, awards ceremony in Marseille
during the international Emerging Valley event
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What Next?
Four to five finalists will be invited to defend their case in front of a jury made up by the associated partners of MED’INNOVANT AFRICA during EMERGING VALLEY on December 7 and 8.
This now unmissable event will bring together African Tech leaders for two days at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille.
The jury will be made up of:
• The Euroméditerranée Public Development Establishment
• Emerging Valley
• The French development agency (AFD)
• AFRICAlink
• ACCELERATOR.M
• FIDAL
• The Aix Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIMP).
Two awards will be made — the “Jury Prize” and the “Coup de cœur” award, together with high added value packages for long-term support (financial boost, support offered by associated partners, push visibility).
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer