Are you a startup founder in Africa who wish to explore China market?



Come compete in the HICOOL 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Competition for a cash prize of up to US$ 280K (RMB 2 million), as well as other landing and residency assistance to help your business expand into China.



Founders Lair collaborates with the Beijing Overseas Talents Association (whose first president is Baidu's founder) to empower technology-based startups and enable entrepreneurs to base and develop in Beijing, China's capital.



About HICOOL:



HICOOL, an all-in-one startup ecosystem managed by Beijing Overseas Talents Association, is a leading comprehensive international talent activity in China, with domestic and overseas talent entrepreneurship competitions as the main component.



It aims to build a multilevel, multidimensional, and diversified international entrepreneurial model, seeking high-quality startups worldwide, facilitating entrepreneurs to grow and expand their business in Beijing.



Over the course of three years, HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Competition has become an innovative international competition with global influence, attracting 11,060 startups and 14,834 global entrepreneurial talents from 117 countries and regions.



HICOOL partners include Deloitte, Sequoia Capital, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AstraZeneca, Meituan, MiraclePlus (formerly Y Combinator China) , Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Sinovation Ventures (创新工场) Ventures, Gobi Partners, China Merchants Bank, Startup Grind, Plug and Play Tech Center and Play China, Founders Lair, among many others.



Why apply?



US$ 10 million prize pool with in total 140 prizes up for grabs!

Permanent residency support to land in China

Brand exposure in China on national media networks

Children's education support.

Social insurance support.



Who may apply?





You are a tech-based startup founder who wishes to do business in China through landing in Beijing.



You have not registered any company in Beijing yet or with companies registered in Beijing after Jan 1st, 2023 (Jan 1st, 2023 included).



***If you have already registered any company in Beijing during last 10 years, please reach out to Carol Chen PKU separately without participating here.



Timeline & Key Dates:



Online Application through the link below: before Jan 31st, 2023

Online Assessment: until May 2023

Preliminary Review: Jun -Jul 2023

Due Diligence: Jul - Aug 2023

Global Semi-final: Aug 2023

Global Final: Aug -Sep 2023

Award Ceremony: Aug -Sep 2023, on-site in Beijing (travel expenses covered by the competition organizer)



Online application ends on January 31st, 2023. However, the project might close earlier once the application quota is met. Thus, we always recommend founders to apply early if interested.



Should you have any questions or concerns, you are always welcome to reach out to Carol Chen PKU



Best of luck and happy building!



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