Leading up to Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, entrepreneurs throughout Zambia will have a chance to show off their startups in a new business model competition--the StartUp Cup. 

COMESA SME Toolkit and ELIF Business Solutions Ltd--the host organization for GEW/Zambia--will host ten local StartUp Cup business model competitions that will conclude when winners are selected during GEW 2012. The startups are competing for a shot at ZMK 390 million--roughly $75,000--in coaching, prizes and support services. 

The international grassroots, locally driven, business model competition is open to anyone with any type of business idea. The first phase of coaching will begin 11th June, 2012.

To date, fourteen communities from around the world are launching StartUp Cups in 2012.

“This is a great opportunity for Zambia’s entrepreneurial community. StartUp Cup fills an often overlooked need among entrepreneurs - long term support,” said Edwin Zulu, COMESA SME Toolkit Project Coordinator & CEO of ELIF Business Solutions Ltd. “Most important, it is a proven model to grow an entrepreneurial ecosystem and comes with the added value of being able to connect with entrepreneurial StartUp Cup organizers from around the globe.”

StartUp Cup organizers are supported by BizXe, a US-based organization, which guides and supports aspiring entrepreneurs, emerging companies and small businesses through the dynamic process of Business Model Design Thinking.

“We are very excited about Zambia joining the StartUp Cup effort,” said Sean Griffin, CEO of BizXe. “Communities are challenged to support a diverse entrepreneurial climate. There are a number of short-term programs, mostly focused on supporting tech companies, but until now, nothing provided the long-term support needed by business owners of all types. Entrepreneurs who participate in the Zambia StartUp Cup Business Model Competition will develop a viable business model during a six month coaching and mentoring process. 

tags: BizXe, featured, Sean Griffin, StartUp Cup, Zambia