As we get closer to the application deadline, the tricky moment of selecting the 10 final teams and rejecting hundreds of (damn) good applications is coming toward us. We’ve met with awesome teams throughout networking events and our #CupOfJoe Wednesdays held in Shoreditch. All of them could qualify for Springboard in my opinion. The shortlisting is going to be tough (I’d say painful). I wish we could have huge offices and accept everyone (but I am not sure there would be any work done).
Speaking of the application process, moWoza, a social enterprise helping people in Africa access goods has recently asked our support to have them selected to a program for entrepreneurs called the Unreasonable Institute Marketplace. Unlike Springboard where investors participate in selecting the 10 teams to get in, the Institute requires people around the world to vote for the social startup they want to get in with money. In other term, they crowdsource their selection process!
No matter how crazy this process is, you should check out moWoza if you are as interested in how technology can tackle development issues as me. Their startup is trying to raise money to participates to the mobile phone revolution in Africa by providing a cost efficient alternative to long and costly journeys and to back door payments to corrupt custom officials. They deliver goods with an end-to-end tracked service that alerts both sender and beneficiary of where the parcels are (via SMS alerts) and when they can be picked up from the closest pick-up location. Who would have know mobile phones could fight corruption and poverty?
If the teams succeed in raising $10,000 in less than a week, they are called Unreasonable Fellows; and that might be well deserved.
@josephinegoube
