The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) is collaborating with RiseUp, which connects startups in the MENA region with resources worldwide, to launch the African App Launchpad Cup, which is the first pitch competition in Africa.

The competition invites startups in gaming or application development from 19 different African countries to participate in a contest that offers grants totaling $60,000, according to a statement released by ITIDA.

"The African App Launchpad Cup is striving to set a global stage for thriving early-stage startups to present to hundreds of regional and international investors," the statement said.

Applications are now open for startups in Egypt and Africa to apply via the competition website at http://techleaders.eg/aal/competition/ until 18 November. The startups will compete on 7 December​ and the winners will be announced in alignment with the RiseUp summit, MENA’s largest annual entrepreneurship event at the American University in Cairo.

“We are excited to launch the African App Launchpad Cup, which will allow us to educate young African calibers and spur their innovation on the latest app and games technology, in addition to supporting the creation of job opportunities for African youth,” CEO of ITIDA Hala El-Gohary said.

Abdel-Hameed Sharara, founder and CEO of RiseUp, said, “This is a step towards achieving our vision of creating more opportunities in the entrepreneurship ecosystem through connecting more stakeholders to the community in Africa. We would like to thank ITIDA for launching and sponsoring the competition and becoming the supporting arm behind the growth of Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.”