Jumpstart Challenge Startups

Update 14 September 2012

Congratulations to the winner of ZOL Jumpstart Challege 2012:

RLMS (Remote Livestock Marketing System) by Allister Banks

And the two runner-ups of ZOL Jumpstart Challege 2012:

- FootballZone by Godwin Chiparaushe & Gift Gana, and
- Nimbus by Taps Murove

(Note: text below posted 15 September 2012. Left here just for information)

What are we looking for?

We are looking for relatively new web and mobile startups in Zimbabwe to pitch at ZOL Jumpstart Challenge 2012. This is also a great opportunity for Startups to launch their products. The Jumpstart team, some tech entreprenuers and professionals will handpick a shortlist of 20 startup applicants for pitching on 6 September. If you're interested, please fill in the form below and submit it to us. Selected startups will be announced at the 6 September event.

The Rules:

We prefer startups which are new, struggling, and relatively unknown but with a brilliant concept and product prototype (or full product) to demo at the Challenge. A demo is a must. Submit your startup as soon as possible. The deadline for submissions is close of day 3 September 2012

The Judges:

You can view the judges and their profiles here.

The Prizes:

The total value of the prizes is us $25,000, broken down as follows:

For qualifying into the 5 finalists round, each startup will get a $500 cash prize and $500 worth of internet services provided by ZOL.
First Prize: $5,000 cash seed funding and $5,000 worth of internet services
Second prize: $2,500 cash seed funding and $2,500 worth of internet services.
Third prize: $2,500 cash seed funding and $2,500 worth of internet services.
There will be follow-on mentorship in addition to the above prizes

Update (4 September):
Registration form closed

Update (6 September):
The following 10 startups (in alphabetic order) have been shortlisted to pitch tomorrow, 7 September 2012

Assist - a mobile application designed to improve customer service and communication to customers / clients by organizations.
FootballZone - A website that covers local & international football news all conveniently on one platform using web and mobile platforms,with strong bias toward local football.
Gifts To Zimbabwe - A web based eCommerce gift service primarily targeting diaspora community with links to Zimbabwe.
Lost and Found - Lost and Found works with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to assist Zimbabwe's general public to locate lost and found items.
mTutor - SMS based educational platform that provides SMS based question and answering techniques.
Nimbus - SMS based application that uses crowd-sourcing to get answers to any question that an individual may have.
Nyngi - Nyngi allows consumers and businesses to interact in a way that allows for transparency and feedback to be shared with others.
Qurious Consulting - A school management system which will improve communication between schools and parents through a web platform.
RLMS (Remote Livestock Marketing System) - An online livestock sales platform.
Ziguru - Offers students an easy way to study with quick access to expert help and awesome collaboration with other learners.

Update (7 September):
The finalists have been chosen. This year, because of the quality of the startups that pitched, the judges agreed to include not just 5, but 6 startups in the finals. The finals will be held next week on Friday, 14 September 2012. The following 6 startups (in alphabetic order) have made it to the finals: