The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Commission, in partnership with the UEMOA Regional Consular Chamber (CCR-UEMOA) and the national consular chambers (CCn) of UEMOA member states, is launching the third edition of the UEMOA STARTUP SPRINGBOARD Contest. This startup contest takes place simultaneously in the eight UEMOA member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.
Theme and Objectives of the Contest
The theme of this edition is: “Creative and Digital Marketing in the Service of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI)”. The contest targets startups working in the CCI sector that utilize innovative marketing strategies to promote cultural, artistic, and/or heritage content. The sectors involved include Film and Audiovisual, Music, Performing Arts, Publishing, Visual Arts, Artisanal Craft, Design, Fashion, and Video Games, among others.
Eligibility Criteria for UEMOA STARTUP SPRINGBOARD
To be eligible, a startup must meet the following conditions:
- Established after December 31, 2019.
- Conduct economic activities in one or more UEMOA member states.
- The main promoter must be a citizen or resident of a UEMOA member state.
- Operate in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) sector with a creative and digital marketing strategy.
Selection Criteria for Laureates
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- The relevance, adequacy, and innovation of the proposed solution.
- The quality of the implementation team.
- The promoter’s motivation.
- The technical and commercial feasibility of the project.
- The potential financial viability of the startup.
- The pertinence of the marketing strategy.
- The use of innovative technologies and social media.
- Visibility on cultural, artistic, and/or heritage content.
- The quality of social and environmental impact.
- The quality of the proposed application file.
Selection Process
The selection process includes several stages:
- Screening of application files.
- Analysis of eligible application files.
- Interview with the main promoter.
- Online voting by the Selection Committee.
Timeline for UEMOA STARTUP SPRINGBOARD
- July 19 to September 3, 2024: Launch of the call for applications and submission period.
- September 4 to September 9, 2024: National pre-selection (evaluation of eligibility, analysis of application files, pre-selection of the top 10 national applications, and transition to the regional selection phase).
- September 23 to October 4, 2024: Regional selection (interviews with the top 5 applications from the 8 states, Committee vote, deliberation, and identification of Laureates for Excellence and Encouragement awards and prizes).
Apply Now
Interested startups are invited to submit their applications before August 20, 2024. To apply, click on the following link: Apply to UEMOA STARTUP SPRINGBOARD.
The UEMOA STARTUP SPRINGBOARD contest offers a unique opportunity for startups in the Cultural and Creative Industries sector to develop and receive financial and strategic support for their innovative projects. Don’t miss this chance to turn your ideas into reality and contribute to the growth of the cultural and creative sector in West Africa.