Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is returning to Russia on October 1st, 2015. Continuing on its goal to put the spotlight on entrepreneurs from emerging countries, Seedstars World expanded its competition to more than 50 countries for 2015 up from the 36 countries of the 2014 edition. Its past participants have raised $20 million together, providing employment to +360 employees all around the world.
A new addition this year, Seedstars World is focusing on the travel and fintech industries, creating industry-specific tracks in parallel to the general Seedstars World competition, renamed the STARS track. Regional winners in those industries will get to compete for a $500,000 equity prize in their track. All regional winners of the local events are invited back to Switzerland to pitch at the final event in February 2016 in Switzerland. This year, Seedstars World is looking to expand its impact by partnering up with key partners in recognizing the startups potential according to diverse criteria. Two more $500,000 equity prizes have been added for the fintech and travel tracks, putting the total amount of investment to be won at $1,5 million taking in account the initial $500,000 and various prizes can be won outside the tracks.
Other than the basic criteria for a seed-stage company, less than 2 years since the founding date, less than $500,000 in funding and a MVP available, Seedstars World is also looking for smart startups that solve regional issues and/or develop profitable products for the global market. With partners such as MEST, Google for Entrepreneurs, and Microsoft, Seedstars World identifies fast-growing and pioneering startup scenes and is on the mission to support regional businesses and their growth. “Seedstars World is a platform connecting investors to the next generation of startup entrepreneurs pulling the spotlight from Silicon Valley and Western Europe. We honestly think the best way to have an impact in emerging countries is by investing and promoting entrepreneurship” explains Alisée de Tonnac, Seedstars World CEO. “ We look forward to seeing how the different startup scenes have evolved in a year and the new startups in the country.”
Russia’s best 20
Twenty of the best startups in Russia will be invited to pitch for the opportunity to compete at the final event. Channelkit, a web tool that allows you to organize and share collections of links. Your personal knowledge base, Seedstars Moscow 2014 Co-Founder Nina Zavrieva explains Seedstars World was a trully amazing experience. Largely because of the opportunity to meet top-notch entrepreneurs from all over the world and exchange experience and ideas. All had very different backgrounds creating very different products and that was the beauty of it. We’re all still in touch on a regular basis calling ourselves one big Seedstars family.
“We decided to join SSW movement to get the top-notch expertise in emerging markets startup ecosystem building and make possible to spread Russia-based innovative businesses abroad as well. We do believe that creating new projects in economic turmoil is essential to stay competitive” explains Michael Demidov from Incubator of Higher School of Economics, Seedstars World local Ambassador representing the initiative throughout the year in Russia. They have also partnered up with Swiss Embassy to Russia.
Further support is provided by Higher School of Economics and media partners Firrma.ru and East-West Digital News.
