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TechCrunch calls Seedstars World “one of the best European events for startups in 2014.” Seedstars World is a global startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes. During their 2014 world tour, they hosted local competitions in 36 countries to find the best locally-grown startups. Now 36 startup finalists are preparing for the Grand Final in Switzerland, and the declared winner will have the opportunity to claim a $500’000 equity prize.

More than 1,500 startups from the Middle East, Africa, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and Latin America applied to participate in Seedstars World. Countries from the MENA represented at Seedstars World include Turkey, Iran, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Morocco.

Seedstars World (SSW) is looking for intelligent startups that solve regional problems and/or develop profitable products for the global market. With partners such as MEST, Google for Entrepreneurs, and Microsoft.

The startup finalists will take part in a 3-day bootcamp organized in partnership with EPFL, the leading European engineering school. International investors & mentors from top accelerators like BBooster, The Founder’s Institute, Chinaccelerator as well as from the business strategy consultancy Galixo, who will be coaching them on their business model.

Seedstars World winner will be announced during the Final Event that will be hosted on the first day of Lift Conference, one of the top innovation and tech conferences in Europe. The jury selecting the final winner will include top investors such as Johnny el Hachem, CEO of Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity, Seedstars World’s investment partner, Jose Marin the founder of Serendipity Investments and Jessica Thorell of Investment AB Kinnevik as well as leading entrepreneurs such as Pierre-Alain Masson, Co-Founder of Seedstars World, Jens Lapinski, Managing Director of Techstars and Marco Corradino, Co-Founder of Bravofly Group.

During the final event, several workshops about industry sectors innovation will take place and debate such topics as ‘banking the perfect storm of disruption?’ A discussion panel about emerging markets is also part of the program. Top speakers likeJesse Moore, Co-Founder of M-KOPA Solar, Renaud Visage, Co-Founder of Eventbrite and Jørn Lyseggen, CEO of MEST in Ghana will share their perspectives and insights during the final event. Finally, Seedstars World will present to you for the first time its Crowd Fund: viaSeedrs, the first crowdfunding platform for funds in Europe (equity crowdfunding), you have the opportunity to invest in the Seedstars World finalists with a minimum of 100£.

For this second edition, more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, business angels, journalists and start-ups enthusiasts are expected to join for the final chapter of the SSW 2014 tour. During the first edition in February 2014, around 500 participants took part and international personalities included former VP of Alibaba, Porter Erisman, who showcased the type of opportunities to be found in emerging countries and the growth potential.