African Startups To The World

TC Battlefield is an annual startup pitch competition that is held at the Moonshot by TechCabal conference. It is a platform that provides African startups building for the world with the resources they need to thrive.

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Your startup. To the World.

October 9 - 10, 2024

Apply to TC Battlefield
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What is TC Battlefield™️?

TC Battlefield is a startup pitch competition dedicated to showcasing local startups’ innovations to a global audience and esteemed panel of judges (investors). It offers an incredible opportunity for African startups to shine on the world stage, unparalleled publicity on both local and international platforms, and a host of other fantastic rewards.

The ultimate vision for TC Battlefield is to become Africa’s premier startup competition, attracting the very best startups and talents, and becoming the primary catalyst for fostering connections between entrepreneurs and potential investors.

Who’s Eligible?

  • Startups at any stage are welcome to apply although we prioritize pre-seed and seed-stage startups.
  • The startup must be registered in an African country and serve customers in Africa.
  • The startup must have a substantial and functional tech component at the time of the competition. Corporate websites will not be considered as the primary tech component.
  • The startup must be fully operational and must have been in existence for 6 months – 3 years.
  • The startup in the beta phase will only be considered in special circumstances if there is a reasonable expectation that it will officially launch within three months from the competition date.
  • The startup must have at least 3 – 6 months of recurring revenue.

Why Should I Apply?

For Startups*

  • Showcase your startup to the world
  • Get an opportunity to win a free booth
  • An opportunity to win $25,000 in equity-free money.
  • Win free press credits and features from TechCabal PR

Apply to Pitch

*Terms and Conditions Apply

For Investors*

  • Get access to a comprehensive database of pre-screened African startups
  • Book one-on-one sessions with selected startups
  • Thought leadership and positioning for your firm

Apply for Access

*Terms and Conditions Apply

Key Dates

i

March 4th, 2024

Application goes live

ii

July 31st, 2024

Application closes and the top 20 are announced

iii

August 1, 2024

Audience voting opens for 2 startups to win booths

iv

August 2, 2024

Startups begin pre-acceleration program

v

September 30th, 2024

Acceleration program ends

vi

October 2nd 2024

Top 10 startups are announced

vii

October 9th, 2024

Top 10 startups pitch and compete

viii

October 10th, 2024

Top 3 and winner is announced.

Prizes

Winners get a chance to win up to $25,000 in cash prize and global recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

What do you do with our data after the event?

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It depends on what you’ve asked us to do with it. By default, we’ll keep it in our internal database of startups to inform our understanding of the market. 

We may use some of the information in aggregate format in anonymised reports about Africa’s startup landscapes. However, we will never share information about your startup specifically without your permission.

 

Do I have to share information about my revenue?

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No, you don’t have to. However, if you are interested in winning our fastest-growing startup award, we will need that info for you to be eligible.

I am an investor, how can I get access to the startups that apply?

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Investors can fill out this form with their details so that we can connect them with Battlefield startups. You can also book a one-on-one session here. We will share the list of startups available for one-on-ones closer to the event.

 

How to participate in the one-on-one investor sessions?

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You have to book those ahead of the conference. Those are separate from Battlefield by TechCabal Insights. You can book here.

 

What happens if I don’t consent for my data to be shared?

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Nothing. We won’t share it with anyone outside of our team and the judges.

Who will you share my data with with?

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Upon your consent, we will share your pitch deck and related details with investors in our database and network for the purpose of investment decisions.

What will you do with my data?

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Your data will be used to decide a winner for the competition and it helps inform our understanding of startups in Africa. Additionally, we will use it to match you with potential investors at our Moonshot Conference in Lagos.

 

Will the audience be allowed to vote for their preferred candidate?

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Winner selection is mostly decided by the judges. The audience can only vote for their preferred startups (2) to win booths at the conference.

Can startups from other countries apply?

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Yes, startups from all over Africa can apply but we’re unable to sponsor visas at this time. Startups can either pay for their travel or send in a pre-recorded video pitch. For startups who choose to travel, we can provide visa support in the form of documentation.

 

What are the prizes to be won from the competition?

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Three winners get to win $2000- $10,000 cash prize and global recognition.