Interested in taking advantage of a training opportunity to help your business? Here are some tips for maximizing your chances to participate.
Interested in taking advantage of a training opportunity to help your business? Here are some tips for maximizing your chances to participate.
As an entrepreneur, seeking out training opportunities can be a valuable step towards enhancing your skills and knowledge, which in turn can help you grow your business. Unfortunately, most opportunities have limited spots and fierce competition, so maximising your chances of being selected for such programs is crucial. In this article, you’ll find five essential tips to increase your likelihood of securing a business development training opportunity.
- Thoroughly research the organization or institution offering the training: Before applying, gain a deep understanding of their mission, values, and the specific focus of their training. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your application to align with their objectives, increasing your chances of standing out as a suitable candidate. Most opportunities will focus on a specific sector or stage of business growth.
- Highlight relevant experience and skills: When applying, emphasize your relevant experience and skills that demonstrate your ability to drive business growth. Showcase any previous entrepreneurial ventures, leadership roles, or projects highlighting your expertise. By highlighting your accomplishments, you can effectively convey your potential to not only learn but also contribute to the program and the organization. If you do not have relevant experience or skills, express your willingness and demonstrate commitment to learn.
- Craft a compelling application: Take the time to create a well-written and tailored application that clearly articulates your motivation for applying. Explain how the training opportunity aligns with your goals and aspirations. Use specific examples and achievements to support your claims, showcasing your ability to apply business development strategies effectively. A compelling application will make you stand out from the competition.
- Network and seek recommendations: Leverage your professional network to gather information about the organization or institution offering the training opportunity. Seek recommendations from mentors, colleagues, or industry professionals who can vouch for your skills and potential. A strong recommendation can significantly enhance your application and increase your chances of being selected.
- Prepare thoroughly for interviews or assessments: If the selection process includes interviews or assessments, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly. Research common interview questions related to business development and practice your responses. Familiarize yourself with case studies or business scenarios that may be presented during assessments. By being well-prepared, you can confidently showcase your knowledge and skills, leaving a lasting impression on the selection committee.
Securing a business development training opportunity can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their skills and drive business growth. Do not be discouraged if you fail to land an application for an opportunity. Learn how to bounce back from rejected applications and learn from the mistakes. With careful planning and a proactive approach, you can increase your likelihood of being selected for a business development training opportunity. Good luck!
Do you have an innovative solution that contributes to sustainable development? Apply for funding from the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards before 15 October 2023
Do you have an innovative solution that contributes to sustainable development? Apply for funding from the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards before 15 October 2023
The Commonwealth Secretariat, an intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries and coordinates Commonwealth activities invites applicants for the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards. The aim of the Awards is to recognize and reward outstanding innovations that contribute to sustainable development within the Commonwealth member countries. These awards serve as a platform to showcase innovative ideas, technologies, and initiatives that have the potential to create positive social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Winning the Awards offers several benefits, including:
- Global recognition and visibility for the awarded innovation
- Increased opportunities for investment, partnerships, and collaborations
- Platform for knowledge sharing and learning among innovators and stakeholders
- Amplified reach and impact of the innovation
- Potential for further scaling up and replication in different contexts
Interested applicants should have innovative solutions that meet the following criteria:
- Implementation within a Commonwealth member country (Rwanda included)
- Contribution to the sustainable development goals of the specific nation
- Demonstrated clear and measurable impact on sustainable development
- Addressing social, economic, or environmental challenges
- Scalable, replicable, and potential for long-term sustainability
- Showcasing creativity, originality, and effectiveness in problem-solving
- Open to individuals, organizations, and partnerships across sectors
For more information and application details, visit the Awards Platform
Are you an early-stage social enterprise interested in scaling? Apply for the BfE Incubation Programme before 1 October 2023
Are you an early-stage social enterprise interested in scaling? Apply for the BfE Incubation Programme before 1 October 2023
Bridges for Enterprise, a non-profit organization that provides pro bono advisory services to social innovators in the developing world, invites applicants for the BfE Incubation Programme. The programme lasts for 6 to 8 months, with multiple implementation stages customized to best support participants to scale their social enterprises. Applications are due 1 October 2023.
Through the programme, participants will be offered consulting and financial advisory services as well as optional legal and technical advisory services. Consulting, financial and legal advisory services will each have a 3 to 4 month timeline, while the technical advisory services will have a timeframe of 3 to 6 months.
The programme will accept social enterprises that demonstrate the following:
- A unique minimum viable product (MVP) that addresses one or more key development challenges
- Revenue-generating business model
- Generates positive environmental or social impact in the communities served
- Leadership team that demonstrates commitment
Additionally, the programme is suitable for social enterprises which fulfil the following:
- Be a for-profit or non-profit social enterprise
- Be an early-stage start-up at the pre-seed or seed stage
- Have an existing product or service and have started earning revenue
- Be legally established in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East
- Demonstrate a clear path to financial returns and impact
To apply for this programme, visit: Submit Application
Do you have a research-backed innovation addressing food security? Apply for funding and mentorship from the WFP Ignite SEED Innovation Programme before 9 October 2023.
Do you have a research-backed innovation addressing food security? Apply for funding and mentorship from the WFP Ignite SEED Innovation Programme before 9 October 2023.
The World Food Program Ignite Innovation Hub invites early-stage innovators with research-backed ideas in the food systems to apply for the Ignite SEED Innovation Programme. The ten-month Program aims to help innovators develop and scale their solutions to address food security and improve climate resilience for local communities.
Selected participants will receive the following benefits:
- Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and food systems experts
- Access to WFP’s network of partners and stakeholders
- Funding to support prototyping, testing, and scaling their solutions
- Training and workshops on business development, marketing, and fundraising
Interested participants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Have a research-backed idea or invention in the food systems sector
- Have at least two team members based in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, or Somalia
- Be interested in transforming their idea into a venture
- Be passionate about disrupting food systems to achieve zero hunger
- Be available for program activities for the duration of the innovation program, including in-person and online sessions
- Female entrepreneurs and non-academic innovators are specifically encouraged to apply
Innovators interested in the Program must submit a proposal outlining their idea, team, and how they plan to use the Program to scale their solution. To apply, visit: Application form
Do you have a health tech solution to improve the lives of children? Apply for the UNICEF Innovation Fund before 20 October 2023
Do you have a health tech solution to improve the lives of children? Apply for the UNICEF Innovation Fund before 20 October 2023
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a new funding opportunity for health tech startups that use cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of children. The UNICEF Innovation Fund is offering up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding to early-stage startups that are registered in one of UNICEF’s program countries.
The Fund is particularly interested in startups that are using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science, blockchain, and extended reality (XR) to address challenges in child health, nutrition, and mental health. Specific areas of interest include:
- Developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for childhood diseases
- Improving access to healthcare in remote and underserved communities
- Using technology to prevent child abuse and neglect
- Promoting mental health and well-being among children
Startups eligible for funding must have a working prototype and a commitment to open-source licensing. Female and youth-led/founded startups are encouraged to apply.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- Up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding
- Access to UNICEF’s network of experts and partners
- Support for developing and scaling your solution
- Increased visibility for your startup
To apply for the Fund, visit Application
Are you a woman with an innovative tech solution? Apply for funding from the Aurora Tech Award before 1 December 2023.
Are you a woman with an innovative tech solution? Apply for funding from the Aurora Tech Award before 1 December 2023.
The Aurora Tech Award, an annual global prize for women founders of tech startups, has opened its 2024 applications. The Award aims to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs in the tech industry and to provide them with the resources and support they need to grow their businesses.
Interested applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be operational for less than five years
- Have a working prototype or Most Viable Product (MVP).
- Be innovative and disruptive
- Demonstrate potential to address a significant challenge or need
- Have a strong and experienced team
- Demonstrate potential to scale and make a significant impact
Winners of the Aurora Tech Award will receive:
- A cash prize of $60,000
- Access to a network of mentors and investors
- The opportunity to participate in a global accelerator program
- Increased visibility and recognition for their startup
To apply for the Award, visit: Application
Are you a start-up with a proven poverty intervention in need of funding? Apply for the D-Prize Challenge before 26 November 2023
Are you a start-up with a proven poverty intervention in need of funding? Apply for the D-Prize Challenge before 26 November 2023
D-Prize, a United States-based non-profit organisation, invites applicants for the D-Prize Challenge for social entrepreneurs with innovations to end poverty. Through the Challenge, D-Prize will identify effective interventions to support with seed funding of USD 20,000.
Interested participants should have innovations in at least one of the D-Prize focus areas, which include health, access to clean water, education, agriculture, livelihoods, energy and public services. Additionally, interested participants must fulfil the following to apply:
- Deliver an existing intervention with a need for high-risk capital that cannot be supported by your current revenue or donors
- Be operational for not more than 18 months and have raised no more than USD 30,000 in outside funding
- Application must be submitted in English (it does not have to be perfect, as long as it is enough to understand your idea)
For more information on the Challenge, visit D-Prize Challenge Application Packet
To apply for the Challenge, visit: Application
Are you an African tech start-up interested in training to make you investment-ready? Apply for the SAIS Investment Readiness Program before 20 October 2023
Are you an African tech start-up interested in training to make you investment-ready? Apply for the SAIS Investment Readiness Program before 20 October 2023
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through its “Scaling Digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-up (SAIS)” project, invites applicants to the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme (IRP) offers African tech start-ups from the agriculture, food, and livestock sectors a year-long tailor-made support program to make them investor ready and scale up their business.
The program seeks to support start-ups in agribusiness, agritech, animal farming, clean technology and energy, crop farming, e-commerce, edtech, fintech, food and beverage, food production, and logistics. Interested applicants must fulfill the following to apply:
- Be registered and operating in Africa with a certificate of registration
- Have a clear and convincing business model
- Have a clear problem statement, digital solution, customer segment, and revenue stream
- Have a founding member on a team of at least two people who work full time
- Founding and management team should have entrepreneurial and technical experience in their area of operation
- Must have a viable digital product that impacts customers’ incomes
- Must have a product that has a positive impact on the African AgTech, FoodTech or livestock (vertical sectors that have an influence can be accepted like e-commerce, fintech, logistics and edtech
- Must have launched digital products at least six months before the application period
- Be able to demonstrate traction (customer base and revenue)
Participating start-ups will benefit from the following:
- Access to online training (tailored)
- Add-on: Programme for Female Leaders
- Access to the GIZ network
- Access to additional services
- Integrating you into a local hub (optional)
- Regular sessions of personalized coaching with local and international experts
To apply, visit: SAIS IRP Applications
Are you a woman entrepreneur struggling with access to finance, markets and networks? Apply for the IFC She Wins Africa program before 15 September 2023
Are you a woman entrepreneur struggling with access to finance, markets and networks? Apply for the IFC She Wins Africa program before 15 September 2023.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) invites applicants for the She Wins Africa program, launched to support women entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa. The She Wins Africa program addresses the challenges women entrepreneurs face in accessing finance, markets, and networks. The program provides participants with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help them build skills and knowledge to build and grow their businesses.
The program includes the following components:
- Investment readiness training: Participants will receive training on how to pitch their businesses to investors, develop financial projections, and build robust business plans.
- Mentorship: Participants will be matched with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support.
- Networking opportunities: Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other women entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders.
Interested participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be for-profit businesses.
- Have a female founder or co-founder.
- Be based in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Have been operating for at least one year.
- Have a clear business model and financial projections.
Successful applicants will receive the following benefits:
- Increased access to finance: The program provides participants with training on how to pitch their businesses to investors. This can help them secure the funding they need to grow their businesses.
- Improved business skills: The program provides participants with training on various business topics, such as marketing, sales, and financial management. This can help them improve the performance of their businesses.
- Increased networking opportunities: The program allows participants to connect with other women entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. This can help them build relationships and collaborate on new projects.
- Increased visibility: The program allows participants to be featured on the IFC’s website and in its marketing materials. This can help them raise awareness of their businesses.
To apply for the program, visit Applications.
Are you a startup leveraging AI and Machine Learning to develop tech solutions? Apply for the Google AI First Accelerator Program before 6 September 2023.
Are you a Startup leveraging AI and Machine Learning to develop tech solutions? Apply for the Google AI First Accelerator Program before 6 September 2023.
Google for Startups invites applicants for the AI First Accelerator, a 10-week equity-free accelerator program for Seed to Series A startups based in Africa or building Africa-centered solutions with technology. The program is sector-agnostic but will only accept applications from startups leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from any vertical. The program is designed to help startups accelerate their growth by providing them with access to Google’s AI expertise, Cloud Platform resources, and networking opportunities.
Participating startups will receive the following benefits:
- Access to Google’s AI expertise: Startups can learn from Google’s team of AI experts and get guidance on their AI projects.
- Technical support: Startups will receive technical support from Google engineers to help them build and deploy their AI solutions.
- Cloud Platform credits: Startups will receive credits worth up to $350,000 to use Google Cloud Platform, which can help them save money on their cloud computing costs.
- Networking opportunities: Startups will have the opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners, and customers through the program’s networking events and workshops.
- Marketing support: Startups will be featured on Google’s startup platform and in its marketing materials, which can help them raise awareness of their company and products.
Interested startups must meet the following criteria:
- Be based in Africa or build Africa-centered solutions with technology.
- Be at the Seed to Series A stage.
- Have a product or service that leverages Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
- Have a strong team with a clear vision of how AI can be used to solve real-world challenges.
To apply for the program, visit Applications.