Seedstars opens doors for Vaud startups into emerging countries

Seedstars together with the Office for Economic Affairs (SPECo), Innovaud, CVCI and Lausanne Région are organising the third «Seedstars Expansion Program to Emerging Countries», for Swiss startups. The 4-day program enables startups to implement their international expansion objectives in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The program gives them access to high growth opportunities, and it will enable them to get the first mover advantage.

Following the submission, the jury – comprising of members from SPECo, CVCI, Seedstars –will evaluate the applications and invite applicants to pitch their startup in Lausanne on 20th September. The jury will then select three startups (nine in total) for each of three destinations: Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Bangkok (Thailand) and Lima (Peru).  

As part of the program, selected startups will participate in a boot camp on the first day, in which they will have mentoring sessions, themed workshops and knowledge transfer. On the second, they will engage in 1:1 meetings with local and international investors followed by pitching sessions at the investor forum. The third day is a Regional Summit and will be filled with workshop sessions, a regional conference, meetings with the local ecosystem, key corporates and government officials. Finally, on the last day, startups will have the opportunity to explore the ecosystem of their allocated destinations before their return. Selected startups will also have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Seedstars Summit 2019 in Lausanne.

Eligible to apply are startups founded in the Swiss canton of Vaud from any field, however with focus on technology and Research and development. This year, all costs of the participation, including the 4-days trip to the Seedstars Regional Summits, are funded by the partners in the initiative. Registration closes on 31 August.

(RAN)