ADDIS ABABA – Inclusion Japan (ICJ), a Tokyo-based venture capital firm, has partnered with Kazana Fund to invest 100 million USD in Ethiopian startups.
January 18, 2023, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Tokyo-based venture capital firm Inclusion Japan (ICJ) in partnership with the early-stage startup investor Kazana Fund, calls on Ethiopian startups with pitch-ready ideas looking to secure significant capital funds, to take advantage of its upcoming exclusive event with an opportunity to secure capital ranging from $100,000 to $500,000.
Inclusion Japan has already invested over $3 million in local startups such as Gebeya Inc, a SaaS-enabled pan-African marketplace.
Local startups applying for the opportunity will have the chance to meet and discuss with senior executives from ICJ and Kazana Fund, where they can pitch their ideas as well as have a chance to become one of the eight startup businesses to receive a 100,000-birr prize along with the prospect of future investment from ICJ for a winning pitch.
A winning team will also have a prospect of further investment from Inclusion Japan.
ICJ’s Director and Co-founder Yasuhiro Yoshizawa said on Wednesday, “We are really looking forward to meeting more promising Ethiopian startups through this event.”
The event is part of a $100 million budget investment by ICJ that is planned to go towards the top Ethiopian startups with ideas revolutionizing a wide range of sectors.
Yoshizawa and Nishiguchi, the world-renowned marketer and ICJ fund advisor will be chairing the PITCH Day competition, along with the CEO of Kazana Business Group Addis Alemayehu.
Ahead of the event, Addis said the private sector has a “crucial role” to play in local startups development
“That fosters an enabling environment for Ethiopia’s demographic dividend, mostly represented by the youth, to build innovative businesses and create much-needed job opportunities,” he added.
The two startup investors have not yet disclosed the place and date for the pitch day but said participating teams will be presenting their winning ideas to secure the significant capital funding required to boost their business.
Teams wishing to meet with ICJ and Kazan Fund are required to send a PITCH video no longer than 10 minutes before the 23rd of January 2023.
The PITCH video should include the following elements 1) Problem 2) Solution 3) Business Model 4) Market 5) Competitors, Competitive Advantage 6) Business Plan 7) Team.
