The Alibaba Entrepreneur Fund is receiving applications for the global pitch competition – Jumpstarter 2021. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, startups, and young people looking to jump-start their entrepreneurial dreams.
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About Jumpstarter 2021
Jumpstarter is a not-for-profit initiative curated by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund that provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. It is also a first-of-its-kind startup event focused exclusively on showcasing quality startups and providing high-impact networking opportunities.
The goal is to build, empower and boost Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship by bringing entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, and the public together, helping to transform Hong Kong into a leading hub for global innovation and technology.
The initiative is for startups, corporate, and investors;
Startups: Startups go to the Jumpstarter platform to pitch their business ideas, network with potential corporates and investors, and get advice from top-notch industry experts.
Corporates: Corporates make use of the platform to connect with startup communities, seek startup collaboration, learn and discover corporate innovation and disruption, access specialised educational resources with best practices, and get inspired.
Investors: Investors seek out the platform to discover promising startups, look for deal flow and connect with other investors.
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Jumpstarter 2021 Eligibility Criteria
The initiative is open to startups from all around. So, if you are in this category, you can apply if you are;
- Operating for less than 5 years.
- Raised less than US$20 million in funding to date.
- Currently between the Seed and Series C stages of funding.
- Desire to make Hong Kong part of their future plans.
- Possess an innovative product or service.
The Four Core Industries
The initiative welcomes startups from all sectors, especially those in the following industries:
- Retail: Ecommerce, Logistics, Entertainment& Gaming, Travel and Tourism and more.
- Fintech: Capital Market & Investment, InsurTech, Payment & Digital Banking,
- Smart City: Green & Environment, Mobility, Lifestyle and more
- Deep Tech: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data & Analytics, Blockchain, AR & VR and more.
What To Do
Your Jumpstarter Journey begins with;
Submit Business Proposal (BP) – a 15-slide Powerpoint in PDF format. This can include; but not limited to;
- Founder Background and Story
- Team Profile
- Value Proposition and Product/Services Description
- Market Size and Target Segment Analysis
- Business Model
- Fundraising History and Plan
- Hong Kong Nexus
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Jumpstarter 2021 Benefits
You can pitch to win up to US$1 million in investment and more;
- International Exposure
- Network with top Corporate and Investors
- Connect with Alibaba Digital Economy
- Mentorship
- Sponsored travel to HK For Final Pitch
- Free Exhibition Opportunities
Jumpstarter 2021 Timeline
Global Callout
- 1st Deadline: Aug 31, 2020
- 2nd Deadline: Sep 25, 2020 (First Wild Card)
- 3rd Deadline: Oct 19, 2020 (Second Wild Card)
Semi-Pitch Round 1
Batch 1: Sep 16, 2020
2: Sep 23, 2020
3: Oct 15, 2020
4: Oct 22, 2020
Batch 5: Nov 12, 2020
Semi-Pitch Round 2: Nov 25, 2020
Due Diligence: Dec 2020 – Jan 2021
Grand Finale: 2021 (Event Date To be announced)
Shortlist Announcement For Semi-Pitch Round 1
Sep 9, 2020 (80 Teams / Top 200)
Oct 7, 2020 (80 Teams / Top 200)
Oct 28, 2020 (40 Teams / Top 200)
Shortlist Announcement For Semi-Pitch Round 2: Nov 16, 2020 (Top 20)
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The deadline for entry to the Jumpstarter 2021 is October 19, 2020. If you are an entrepreneur looking to jump-start your career, you can learn more and apply here; https://apply.jumpstarter.hk.
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