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2026 Pitching Den Application: Sentech Africa Tech Week

Application deadline: 1 May 2026

Enter your tech startup into the pitching den at the Africa Tech Week Conference!

On 12 - 13 May, at the Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, 7 pre-selected African Tech Entrepreneurs will battle it out, pitching their groundbreaking innovations to our industry-leading investor panel and influential tech audience. Each entrepreneur will deliver a rapid-fire 3-minute presentation followed by a 5 minute Q&A with the panel. After deliberations, the panel will crown the Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion!

Apply by completing the form below.

​Qualification requirements: ​
1. You need to be an African ​Tech Startup Founder ​
2. Your startup needs to be in early (seed up to series A) stage - having a minimum viable product is preferable ​
3. You will need to be physically present should you be selected
1.Full name (first and last name):(Required.)
2.Email address:(Required.)
3.Mobile number:(Required.)
4.Where are you based?(Required.)
5.Should you be selected as a finalist would you be able to attend the pitching den in person at your own expense? (Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, 12-13 May 2026)(Required.)
6.Job Title(Required.)
7.Company name:(Required.)
8.Years of operation:(Required.)
9.Submit your certificate of incorporation (if already incorporated):
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10.This year we are looking for startups in the early (seed up to series A) stage? Can you confirm that your startup falls into this category?(Required.)
11.Do you have a minimum viable product (tangible product or service)?(Required.)
12.Tell us about your product / service in no more than 150 words. Make sure your answer is clear and concise and sets you apart from other applicants.(Required.)
13.Tell us about what Africa-relevant problem your tech service/product can solve? Can you substantiate this with evidence?(Required.)
14.Who are your customers and why would they want to use your product/service?(Required.)
15.Who are your competitors and how are you doing things differently?(Required.)
16.Submit a video introduction of 2 minutes to introduce yourself (name, background), and your tech business solution (why did you start your business; how does product/service tackles a relevant African problem; your expected social, economic, and environmental impact; size of the team, etc.) (Submit the wetransfer or youtube link below/email it to marketing@africatechweek.co.za).(Required.)
17.What is the biggest challenge you face in growing your business / commercialising your product?(Required.)
18.How does your business prioritise diversity and inclusion?(Required.)
19.Submit your company profile:(Required.)
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20.Submit your CV:(Required.)
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21.How will your business look 5 years from now? (max 400 words)(Required.)
22.What sector do you operate in?(Required.)
23.Share your organisation's structure?(Required.)
24.Please share the details of 1 or 2 references if you have any.
25.Please motivate why you should be chosen to pitch at the Sentech Africa Tech Week Conference:(Required.)
Please take note of the below*

Step 1: Submit your detailed application form along with your 2-minute video introduction.

Step 2: Should you be selected as a finalist you will be sent your “pitch kit pack” which will include a pitch deck template (no more than 8 slides) that you will need to populate and pitch live at the conference, training on how to deliver the perfect elevator pitch and how to make your pitch deck stand out from the rest as well as your pitching den finalist social media pack and badge.

Step 3: Pitch day at the Sentech Africa Tech Week Conference. You will present your pitch deck and product live to the judges and the audience in the form of a 3-minute elevator pitch with 5-minutes thereafter for judges to ask questions should they require any additional information.

Step 4: Time to win! After deliberations, the panel will crown the Africa Tech Week 2026 Pitching Den Champion.