A new competition for Cuban entrepreneurs was announced yesterday at AngelSummit Americas in Miami.
The international competition, 10x10KCuba, is a call to innovation for the island’s emerging technology sector, which seeks to help talented programmers and entrepreneurs in Cuba integrate into the global startup community. Leaders at the forefront of Cuba’s growth and development in the entrepreneurial space, such as Cuba Emprende Foundation and #CubaNow, have teamed up with well-known names in tech including 500 Startups, Techstars, and Stanford’s School of Engineering.
The Cuban tech scene has received a lot of attention in recent weeks after US President Barack Obama met with a Cuban “cerveceria” during his historic visit to Cuba last month.
Obama also met with Merchise Startup Circle, a Cuba tech startup, that announced a deal with US payments company, Strip Atlas.
The 10X10KCuba contest will provide the winning Cuban entrepreneurs with resources that will help them advance their businesses and connect with international technology leaders and financial supporters.
“We are proud to be a co-organizer of 10x10KCuba,” says John McIntire of CubaEmprende. “During our four years of operations in Cuba, we have graduated over 2,000 entrepreneurs and helped more than 1,500 businesses launch or accelerate. Tech-enabled startups are well represented among our alumni, and it’s exciting for us to help that dynamic sector reach scale and sustainability.”
“10x10KCuba offers Cuban tech entrepreneurs an unprecedented level of access to some of the most exciting players in America’s startup ecosystem. Our hope is that those chosen to participate will acquire the know-how, mentoring and financial support that will help them succeed at home as Cuba expands internet access and reintegrates itself into the global economy,” said #CubaNow Executive Director, Ric Herrero.
Competition Details
Participating entrepreneurs will be judged by startup and investment leaders from around the Americas with 10 winners selected in the Fall. Participants will have the opportunity to win a package of web services, laptops and servers from Dell, EMC and Rackspace, as well as experience with leading accelerator programs in the US and Latin America.
What: 10x10KCuba, an international startup competition that brings together leaders contributing to Cuba’s emerging tech ecosystem.
AngelSummit Americas partners and additional supporters are rewarding entrepreneurs with:
· Customized Stanford Engineering School program
· Experience with leading accelerators Techstars, 500 Startups, and Boomtown
· Servers, Cloud Credits and Android Devices from Rackspace· Dell laptop computers via EMC
· Online English and/or Chinese-Mandarin lessons by iTutorGroup
· Mentoring from NXTP Labs
· Cash for travel, out-of-pocket expenses and customs duties on imported equipment
Who:
-Hundreds of Cuban entrepreneurs are expected to participate with 10 winners selected
-Organizing partners include:
· Cuba Emprende Foundation
· #CubaNow
· Cambridge Innovation Center Miami
· Startup Angels
· Mano
AngelSummit, produced by Startup Angels, is the world’s premier series of conferences for current and aspiring startup investors featuring a highly curated gathering of startup influencers, investors, industry and community leaders. Since 2014, they have hosted more than 1,200 participants at Summits in Dallas, Madrid and Chattanooga featuring members of diverse startup communities from around the globe, to discover best-practices and forge new partnerships.