Startup Innovation Challenge III competition in sustainable development
This competition is an initiative of the Sfax Business Center in partnership with COSTART – CONECT SFAX and ISAAS
It aims to encourage the national ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship to take the turn of sustainability and produce an impact in the Tunisian south (Sfax- Gabes – Gafsa – Sidi Bouzid – Tataouine – Medenine – Kebilli and Tozeur) it also aims to support 15 startups that meet the SDG sustainable development goals through a specific support program; either the following SDGs :
- SDG5: Gender equality
- SDG6: Clean water and sanitation
- SDG7: Clean and affordable energy
- SDG8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG11: Sustainable cities and communities
- SDG12: Responsible consumption and production
- SDG13: Measures related to the fight against climate change
- SDG14: Aquatic Life
- SDG15: Earthly Life
The competition will be organized on the sidelines of the 11th edition of the Business Fair on November 20 and 21, 2024 at the Sfax International Fair and will end with the crowning of 3 best startups
Conditions of participation:
Start-ups from all sectors of the economy are invited to participate if they meet the following criteria :
- Based in the regions of Southern Tunisia (Sfax- Gabes – Gafsa – Sidi Bouzid – Tataouine – Medenine – Kébili and Tozeur)
- Be innovative by nature and provide value-added solutions
- Be part of a sustainability approach following the SDGs already mentioned SDG5-SDG6-SDG7-SDG8-SDG8-SDG9-SDG11-SDG12-SDG13-SDG14-SDG15
- Be scalable: have international growth potential and be able to be applied in companies and destinations (countries, regions)
- Be an early stage or series A start-up
- Have carried out a pilot test and have an operating plan (business plan)
- Have already gone through an acceleration process
- Have a full-time team
All forms of innovation are welcome: new methods, processes or governance models, social impact initiatives, and technologies.
Evaluation criteria:
The participating start-ups will be evaluated according to the following elements :
- Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG5-SDG6-SDG7-SDG8-SDG8-SDG9-SDG11-SDG12-SDG13-SDG14-SDG15
- Ease of capturing value through collaboration with the start-up
- Potential impact on the business
- Product/technology maturity
- Maturity of the team and the organization
- State of readiness for partnerships
Participation Benefits:
The benefits for the selected start-ups include, but are not limited to :
- Entrepreneurial strengthening of the 15 selected startups
- Specially designed training and support program including individual and group sessions focused on pitch validation, performance improvement, intellectual property, sustainability, economic activity, leadership and pitch presentation following a theatrical approach.
- Pitch validation and BP improvement
- Access to technological support
- Presentation (pitch) during the 1st day of the Company Fair on November 20, 2024
- Connection to the SYPHAX ANGELS Business Angels network
- Visit of the company’s exhibition and participation in the various components of the exhibition, in particular seminars and mini conferences
- Visibility and communication through the presence at the Company’s Exhibition
- Announcement of the results and Award ceremony for the 3 winners among 7 startups at the closing ceremony of the Business Fair on November 21, 2024