The Global Entrepreneurship Network has announced the finalists for Startup Open, a global competition to find some of the most promising young startups in the world, with startups from Kenya and Egypt making the cut.
The startups are QEYE (Egypt) and Marini Naturals (Kenya), and they were selected, together with the other finalists, from over 1,000 applicants from 101 countries following calls for applications.
QEYE provides automatic quality inspection systems using machine vision technology for industries that typically follow manual procedures.
The startups uses a smart industrial camera to target production quality improvements in textiles, plastic, paper, packaging and many other industries in Egypt and throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
On the other hand, Marini Naturals is East Africa’s first haircare line that caters exclusively to women of natural, African hair and all women of Afro-textured hair.
It is the first company in its market to introduce purchasing of its products through the simple use of mobile phone shortcode technology.
Both startups, together with the other finalists, will automatically gain membership in the GEN Starters Club, enhanced exposure and curated networking opportunities at special events around the world. They will also connect with mentors over the next four weeks.
“These individuals and cofounder teams are innovators on the verge of becoming industry disruptors – you see their promise and that they are ready to take their ventures to the next level,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
He added, “This group of entrepreneurs, and others like them, are driving economic growth and social value in all economies and cultures of the world.”
After a final round of judging, the grand prize winner will be announced on January 5, 2016. The winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Johannesburg, South Africa in March 2017.
There, the winner will showcase his/her startup on a global scale and meet with potential collaborators, mentors and others to help the startup grow.
This is the seventh edition of the competition. Past winners have shared a stage with world renowned entrepreneurs like Richard Branson and world leaders like U.S. President Barack Obama, and featured by CNBC, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
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