Call for applications: 2021 Jumpstarter global pitch competition

The competition has been launched by Jumpstarter, a not-for-profit initiative curated by the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, which provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump-start their dreams.

It focuses exclusively on showcasing quality startups and providing high-impact networking opportunities. Selected individuals will pitch their business ideas, network with potential corporates and investors, and get advice from top-notch industry experts.

Up to 200 startups will be selected for a preliminary round of pitches in September. The best 20 startups selected from the preliminary round will advance to a semi-final pitch in November from which 10 startups will be shortlisted. The grand finale will be held between December 2020 and January 2021 when the finalists will compete for the prize money.

In addition, the top five startups will be eligible to take part in the eFounders Fellowship programme. Co-organised by Alibaba Business School and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the programme supports global digital economic development.

“Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund is committed to bringing together global startups, entrepreneurs and investors through Jumpstarter 2021, attracting talented individuals with innovative ideas to develop them further in Hong Kong, and strengthening the city as a world-leading hub of entrepreneurship,” Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund executive director Cindy Chow said.

Eligibility

The startups must:

• Have be in operation for less than five years and raised less than $20m in funding to date.
• Be 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.

Requirements

The pitch deck, which should consist of the following:

• Founder's background and story.
• Team profile.
• Value proposition and product/services description.
• Market size and target segment analysis.
• The business model with pricing, cost and unit economics, acquisition, distribution and supply chain, entry barrier and competitive analysis, scalability, growth and risk factors, historical milestone, operation and financial traction and future development plan.
• Fundraising history and plan.
• Hong Kong nexus.
• Team background and current operation.
• Future plan.

Selection criteria

Participants will be graded in the following order:

• Innovation and industry disruption – 20%
• Market potential and business model & sustainability – 20%
• Traction and further development plan – 20%
• Team background and strength – 15%
• Hong Kong nexus (founder background + HK / GBA plan) – 15%
• Social Impact – 10%

Note: 

• Two wild cards are provided. Teams are allowed to re-enter and submit their pitch deck if they have not been shortlisted.
• A 10% bonus point will be added to the total score of projects that have taken any initiatives to support your local community to combat COVID –19.
• Applicants can submit a three-minute video presentation/corporate video (not mandatory).

How to participate

• Submit your pitch deck via the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund service platform here.

The application deadline is 19 October 2020. 

More guidelines are available here.