Pan African Private Equity & Investment Firm, Stillwater Equity Partners Limited together with Start Up Cup Ghana Limited on Thursday October 2, 2015 launched the maiden edition of the National StartUp Festival.

The event is earmarked to be the largest gathering of start-up entrepreneurs, investors and start-up eco-system leaders in an exclusive setting for networking, exhibitions, key-notes, workshops and awards. The event will bring together some thousands of visitors, hundreds of investors and more than 100 start-up entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a short ceremony to launch the event, Chief Executive of Stillwater Equity Partners (SEP), Michael Ayirebi reiterated his company’s commitment to investing in start-ups in the sub-region and said that the objective of this year’s event which is to initiate the campaign to build the next generation of global brands brewed in Africa was well in line with Stillwater’s objectives.

Describing key features of this year’s event, the Chairman of StartUp Cup Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Nyame said that this year’s event has four main features, the first being a free exhibition session to give visibility and growth opportunities to some hundred participating start-ups and their founders.

It will also have a workshop which will feature big names in Marketing, Branding and Finance to empower participating entrepreneurs with important skill sets in marketing and raising capital.

Another key highlight is a plenary session to be led by 7 successful start-up entrepreneurs namely, Mabel Simpson (Msimps), Richmond Asumadu (Brich Ltd.), Toni Senaya (Horseman Shoes), Patrick Deegbe (Heel The World), among others.

The aspect of the show that excites me the most is the Pitch Battle, he added. Here seven (7) selected startups will pitch for the opportunity to compete in the World StartUp Cup Competition in the United States of America.

Headlining this year’s festival is the sensational Adomaa, who will treat audience to a unique mélange of jazz, soul and afro beat with her scintillating voice that has made her win massive audience since her arrival on the music scene early this year.

This year’s event is supported by the Young Entrepreneurs Savings (YES FUND); a product of ASN Financial Services (ASN FSL) that supports young entrepreneurs to build capital for their dream businesses.