Investor | Afrodiaspora Business Networker | Strategic SaaS Consultant
Startup World Cup is
coming to Yaoundé
Ten startups. One stage. One ticket to San Francisco.
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
Startup World Cup is
coming to Yaoundé
Ten startups. One stage. One ticket to San Francisco.
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 12:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
SALLE TRIPARTITE, PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER · 9:00 – 11:00
On 17 October, ten startups pitch live on the closing day of the Cameroon International Tech Summit 2026 for the chance to be named Startup World Cup Yaoundé winner and represent Cameroon at the global competition in San Francisco.
We are looking for companies with real customers, serious growth ambitions and technology that can compete beyond Cameroon.
Ten finalists will pitch at, Palais des Congrès, on Saturday 17 October from 9:00.
One Competition
Lion's Den is Cameroon's road to the Startup World Cup
Lion’s Den is the pitch competition at the heart of CITS26. In 2026 it becomes Cameroon’s official Startup World Cup regional final, run by Mountain Hub in partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures. That means one competition, one set of finalists and one winner. Win Lion’s Den and you win the Startup World Cup Yaoundé regional title, with everything that follows from it.
There is no separate competition to enter. One application puts you in both.
From Yaounde to San Francisco
Your next pitch could be on a global stage
Startup World Cup is a global startup competition powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, with more than 100 regional competitions across six continents. Regional winners advance to San Francisco, where founders from around the world compete for a $1 million investment prize.
This year, one of those routes starts in Yaoundé.
Ten finalists will be selected to pitch live during CITS26. One winner will advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale programme in San Francisco.
What’s at stake?
More than a trophy
The Lion’s Den 2026 Champion leaves with more than a title. You get introductions to investors, industry leaders and partners from across CITS26, plus:
Startup World Cup
Qualification to represent the Yaoundé regional competition at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, pitching in the Semi-Final round.
Flight to San Francisco
One return economy flight for one company representative to travel to the Grand Finale, covered by Mountain Hub.
Grand Finale Access
Startup World Cup provides free tickets to the Grand Finale and the Networking Party for the winning company.
Mountain Hub Incubation
A place on Mountain Hub’s incubation programme, with workspace, mentoring and investor introductions as the company grows.
The $1 million Startup World Cup prize is an investment prize awarded at the global competition and is subject to Startup World Cup’s investment terms. Winning the Lion’s Den competition does not constitute a cash award of $1 million.
Are we looking for you?
Built something that is ready to scale?
Lion’s Den is open to startups at any stage and in any industry. We are looking for technology companies that can show commercial progress, real growth potential and relevance to the markets of Cameroon and Central Africa.
We want to hear from companies that:
- Have a product, technology or service beyond the idea stage
- Can show customers, pilots, revenue, partnerships or other market validation
- Have clear ambitions to grow beyond their home market
- Offer a solution that is different and can grow fast
- Work in AI, fintech, agritech, health, climate, mobility, digital services, education, e-commerce, creative technology or related fields
- Can send a representative to pitch in person in Yaoundé on 17 October
You do not need to be a CITS26 exhibitor to apply.
There is no application fee.
HOW IT WORKS
APPLY
Submit your application and pitch deck by Sunday, 5 October. One application enters you into Lion’s Den and the Startup World Cup regional final.
GET SELECTED
Applications are reviewed on commercial traction, technology and differentiation, growth potential, team strength and international ambition.
Ten companies are selected for the live competition and announced on 10 October.
PITCH AT CITS26
All Ten finalists pitch on the same morning.
Each company gets:
4 minutes to pitch
2 minutes of questions from the jury
Pitch in English or French.
Slides in English.
WIN
One jury follows every pitch and selects the winner, announced the same morning.
The winner advances to Startup World Cup in San Francisco, receives a return economy flight for one company representative, and joins Mountain Hub’s incubation programme.
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, 17 October 2026
CITS26 Lion’s Den — Startup World Cup Yaoundé Regional Final
9:00 – 12:00 Palais des Congrès, Yaoundé.
Ten finalists· Jury decision· Champion announced on Day 3 of the Cameroon International Tech Summit 2026.
PROGRAM
09:00 Opening and Startup World Cup presentation
09:25 Pitches, finalists 1 to 5
10:00 Break
10:10 Pitches, finalists 6 to 10
10:45 Jury deliberation
11:05 Champion announced and trophy presented
11:25 Press and networking
ATTENDING
Entry is free with any CITS26 pass. Registration is required so we can manage capacity in the hall. Walk-in registration is available at the entrance on the day.
What we are looking for
What makes a winning company?
TRACTION
Is there clear evidence that the market wants what you are building?
GROWTH POTENTIAL
Can this become a significant business beyond Cameroon?
TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENTIATION
What makes your solution genuinely better or different?
TEAM
Does the team have what it takes to execute?
IMPACT
Does the company solve a real problem for people, businesses or institutions across the region?
AMBITION
Are you challenging established thinking and building something bold?
FAQs
Who can apply?
Any legally registered startup or scale-up. You do not have to be a CITS26 exhibitor or a Cameroonian company. We will prioritise companies with commercial progress, strong growth potential and relevance to the markets of Cameroon and Central Africa. There is no application fee.
How long is the pitch?
Four minutes to pitch, followed by two minutes of questions from the jury.
What language should I pitch in?
English or French. Your slides must be in English, as the jury includes international members.
Do I need to be in Yaoundé in person?
Yes. Finalists must have a company representative present to pitch live at Palais des Congrès on 17 October.
Do I need a CITS26 ticket to compete?
Selected finalists receive access for the pitching representative. Additional team members need a CITS26 pass.
What does the winner receive?
The winner advances from the Yaoundé regional competition to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale programme in San Francisco, pitching in the Semi-Final round. The winner also receives a return economy flight for one company representative and a place on Mountain Hub's incubation programme.
Can companies from outside Cameroon apply?
Yes. Startup World Cup accepts applicants regardless of location, and the Yaoundé competition welcomes startups from across Central Africa and the diaspora.
When will I know if I have been selected?
The ten finalists are announced on 10 October 2026. All applicants are notified by email.
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