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Welcome to the West Africa Startup World Cup, where innovation meets opportunity. On April 11, 2025, we’re bringing together the brightest minds and the most ambitious startups from across West Africa to connect with world-class investors and corporates in Sierra Leone, for the semifinal of the world’s largest pitch competition: the Startup World Cup organized by Pegasus Venture and held in San Francisco Oct 2025.
This is your chance to be part of an event that will shape the future of innovation in West Africa region. Whether you’re a startup looking to scale or an investor seeking the next big breakthrough, this event is designed to provide unparalleled opportunities.
The West Africa Startup World Cup is THE event for startups ready to make waves in West Africa and beyond. Hosted for the first time in Sierra Leone, this event is a key semifinal in the Startup World Cup, the world’s largest pitch competition organized by Pegasus Venture.
This year, we’re bringing together 27 of the most innovative startups from 20 West Africa countries to pitch in front of top investors, corporate giants, and a global audience in Sierra Leone. The winner? They’ll be heading to Silicon Valley for the chance to win a $1 million investment. 
Gain access to over 30 international investors managing a combined $10 billion. This is your moment to secure the funding that can take your startup to new heights.
The winning startup will represent West Africa at the Startup World Cup 2025 in Silicon Valley Final, with a chance to win a $1 million investment.
Showcase your innovation on an international platform, attracting media attention and potential partners from across the globe.
Connect with key players in the startup ecosystem, from successful entrepreneurs to experienced mentors, who can provide valuable insights and support.
The winning startup gets full access to the final of the Startup World Cup 2025 Silicon Valley Final, with a chance to win a $1 million investment.
The top three startups will be part of the Startup District at WMF 2025 in Bologna, Italy. They’ll participate in exclusive B2B meetings and pitch on the Startup Stage.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be at the heart of West Africa innovation.
Engage with 27 carefully selected startups from around 20 West African countries, each with unique solutions ready to disrupt the market.
Meet and network with other top-tier investors, industry leaders, and corporate executives, fostering partnerships that can drive innovation.
Gain insights into the latest innovations and trends emerging from the West Africa startup scene, ensuring you’re at the forefront of industry developments.
Identify startups that align with your investment goals or strategic interests, providing opportunities for early-stage investments or partnerships.
Meet the global visionaries shaping the future of innovation. Our lineup includes some of the biggest names in the startup world:
GP @ Everywhere (NY) & ex-MD @TechStars ($10B portfolio)
Jenny Fielding is a co founder and Managing Partner of Everywhere Ventures, having invested in 300+ pre-seed startups and building a community of 500+ founders and operators. Previously, she spent 7.5 years as Managing Director of Techstars, where her portfolio now exceeds a $10B market cap. Jenny is also a 2x founder, lawyer, and adjunct professor at Columbia University and Cornell Tech.
MP & Cofounder @Smart Society Ventures (Climate and Energy Tech VC)
Kennedy is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Smart Society Ventures. SSV focuses climate and energy tech investments across the UK, Europe and US from Series A to C. Kennedy previously founded and led UK-based software scaleup, Topia, from an idea during business school to global operations raising $100M+ in VC funding. Kennedy is also a former US politician, investment banker and private equity investor. She is based in Switzerland.
GP @Coelius Capital ($210M AUM), most followed investor on Angellt
Zach Coelius is a five time entrepreneur and early stage technology investor. He has invested $100m in over 80 young companies including Cruise Automation (bought by GM for $1B+), Branch Metrics, mParticle, Booksy, Mud Water, Hellosign (bought by DropBox), Apprente (bought by McDonalds) and Mercury.
8 startups, 4 exits, 1 IPO, Former VC in 100+ deals
Mike Sigal, founder of Sigal Ventures, assists startup founders, corporate executives, and fund managers in optimizing performance. He serves as a Venture Partner for GPO Fund, MiddleGame Ventures, Niches, Pella Ventures, and Revolution DAO, and advises Unbounded Capital. With over 35 years of experience, including founding 500 Startups Fintech Fund and leading four successful exits, Sigal now resides in Portugal.
This event is invite-only to ensure the best possible environment for our participants. If you want to be part of this game-changing event, drop us an email to request an invitation. We’re creating the perfect atmosphere for innovation to thrive, so let’s make magic happen together!