NewSpace Africa Startup Pitch Competition 2026

This year’s pitch competition is In Partnership with Startup World Cup

                                                                                                 

 

The NewSpace Africa Startup Pitch Competition 2026 is a high-visibility platform for African early-stage upstream space startups to pitch market-ready technologies and scalable business models to investors, policymakers, corporate partners, and development finance institutions. This year, we are proud to partner with the Startup World Cup, the world’s #1 startup competition, to elevate our regional winners onto the global stage.

Five shortlisted startups will pitch live at the NewSpace Africa Conference 2026 in Libreville, Gabon, Africa’s leading space business and policy event.

This competition is strictly for upstream space companies. Downstream, application-layer, analytics, or service-only companies are not eligible.

Who Should Apply

African startups developing core, proprietary upstream space technologies, including:

• Satellite platforms and payloads

• Launch and launch-support systems

• Space hardware and components

• Ground segment infrastructure

• Testing, integration, and manufacturing capabilities

Startups should demonstrate clear technical progress, early commercial traction, and the ability to scale across African markets.

Why Apply

Selected startups will receive:

• Opportunity to pitch live on stage at NewSpace Africa Conference 2026

• Exposure to investors, space agencies, policymakers, and industry leaders

• Direct feedback from experienced judges and investors

• Structured networking with potential customers, partners, and funders

• Complimentary conference registration for one team member

Winning startup additionally receives:

• Access to the Startup World Cup global network, with the winner gaining direct visibility for the potential to compete in the SWC Grand Finale in San Francisco for a $1,000,000 investment prize.

• A free exhibition slot at the conference

• Enhanced media coverage across Space in Africa and conference media partners

Pitch Format & Judging

• 5-minute live pitch

• 5-minute Q&A with judges

Applications are evaluated based on technical readiness, commercial viability, market relevance, scalability, team strength, and demonstrated traction.

Five startups will be shortlisted to compete live at the conference.

Eligibility 

Applicants must:

• Be a registered company domiciled in Africa

• Operate exclusively in the upstream space segment

• Have been operational for at least one year

• Demonstrate revenue or verifiable market traction

• Have raised no more than USD 1 million since inception

• Have at least two active team members (minimum 50% time commitment each)

• Have at least 50% African representation in the founding or core team

• Commit to pitching in person at the conference in Libreville, Gabon

Timeline

• Applications open: 6 January 2026

• Applications close: 15 February 2026

• Finalists announced: 3 March 2026

• Live pitch: 21 April 2026

• Winner announced: 22 April 2026

How to Apply

Fill the application form below and submit a 5-10 slide pitch deck. Only applications submitted via the form will be considered. Email submissions will not be accepted.

By applying, startups agree that submitted materials may be shared with judges and potential investors strictly for evaluation and engagement related to the competition.