Its time for South Africa and Cape Town to stake our claim on the global startup stage with an annual “seedcamp”-like event, born & bred with African soul. Leading Cape Town based incubator, the Bandwidth Barn, has joined forces with Cape Town Activa and the City of Cape Town to bring a first-of-its-kind event to the City. 

LaunchCapeTown is a five-day happening that brings together startups, entrepreneurs, local & international mentors and cutting edge digital trendsetters in a melting pot of creativity guaranteed to change the lives of those who participate.  Entrepreneurs & Startups are invited to share in the excitement of LaunchCapeTown by applying for the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Competition (CTEC) 2012 and enter their business into either the Idea or Growth track of CTEC 2012 featured during the event. 

With either a trailblazing business idea (Idea Track) or a business younger than 2 years or a business introducing a revolutionary new product or service (Growth Track) LaunchCapeTown would like to help build, connect and accelerate business.

Running between 23 & 27 March 2012, participants will network with industry leaders and other entrepreneurs, attend coaching sessions, a women’s breakfast, a TECHBash (RSVP here) to get the weekend started plus have the opportunity to enter the Cape Town Entrepreneurial Competition (CTEC 2012). 

If you think you've got what it takes, apply online. Applications close on the 18th of March 2012.

The Cape Town Entrepreneurial Competition focuses on digital innovation and will be judged by a panel of international judges. Five companies from each track will be announced at the LaunchCapeTown TECHbash kick-off event on Friday 23rd with featured band Hot Water (http://www.hotwater.co.za).  

The finalist top companies are then invited back for a mentoring, pitching and coaching weekend by a handpicked group of Judges & Mentors, culminating in an awards ceremony at the GSB - Sunday 25 March. The CTEC 2012 winning companies will receive premium prize packages containing cash, valuable tech-related services and for the Growth track winners, the added benefit of potentially competing in the Global Entrepreneurship Competition in Barcelona during June 2012.

The confirmed list of international mentors that will be at the event include: Nimeshh Patel from AOL Europe, Jevon MacDonald from Golnstant and StartupNorth.ca, Lane Becker from Freestyle.vc, Carol Reeves, Permjot Valia from Business Angel, Julia Law from KatesKesler as well as Andy Volk, Michael Blakely and Philip Kiracofe to name a few. 

For more info and to get involved visit the LaunchCapeTown website.