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
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.
Call for applications for the Anzisha Prize Fellowship program. Apply before 7 September 2023.
Call for applications for the Anzisha Prize Fellowship program. Apply before 7 September 2023.
The Anzisha Prize Fellowship program opened applications for young African entrepreneurs with businesses that have created job opportunities for youth in their communities. Through the program, successful applicants will be equipped with tools and resources to help them run successful businesses.
During the course of three years, the program will track the performance of the business and the entrepreneur. Businesses that demonstrate exceptional growth and initiative will be rewarded with benefits and services such as short courses, cloud services, and cash stipends. At the end of the second year, entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses for a chance to win their share of grand cash prizes valued at over $50 000.
The grand prizes are split into four categories:
- Job creation prize
- Revenue growth prize
- Storytelling prize
- Integrating systems and processes prize
The program is open to all young African entrepreneurs who fulfill the following criteria:
- Be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or passport to present as evidence.
- Be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries
- Have an operational business
- Be a founding member or one of the founding members of the business
To apply, visit: Anzisha Prize Application
Do you have an innovative idea that addresses a social challenge? Apply for funding and business development support from the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge before 20 August 2023
Do you have an innovative idea that addresses a social challenge? Apply for funding and business development support from the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge before 20 August 2023
The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge, a global competition that aims to empower young social innovators, invites applications for its 2023 edition. The Challenge is designed to provide young social innovators with the resources and support they need to develop and implement their ideas.
Participants will have access to a world-leading Digital Incubator program, which includes e-learning, live events, peer support, and the opportunity to access expert mentors from the world’s leading companies. The Challenge also offers a cash prize of up to $10,000 for the best ideas.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who will be looking for ideas that are innovative, scalable, and have the potential to make a real impact on the world. Interested participants must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Be aged 18-30 years old
- Be from anywhere in the world
- Have an idea for a social innovation project
- Be able to commit to the entire duration of the Challenge (August 2023 – February 2024)
To apply, visit: Application
Are you an early-stage startup using Amazon Web Services (AWS ) with an innovative financial solution? Apply for the Global Fintech Accelerator program before 14 August 2023.
Are you an early-stage startup using Amazon Web Services (AWS ) with an innovative financial solution? Apply for the Global Fintech Accelerator program before 14 August 2023.
Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms, invites applicants for the Global Fintech Accelerator program. The 6-week equity-free program helps early-stage startups use AWS to accelerate their businesses growth and success. The program is designed to provide startups with the resources, mentorship and support they need to build and launch innovative financial solutions. The program provides startups access to the following:
- Technical mentorship from AWS experts on cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence topics.
- Business mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors in business strategy, fundraising, and go-to-market plans.
- AWS resources including global infrastructure and services, as well as a variety of tools and resources to help build and launch products.
Successful applicants will benefit from the following:
- Increased visibility and exposure: The program allows startups to showcase their products and services to a global audience of investors, partners, and customers.
- Accelerated growth: The program helps startups to accelerate their growth by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to build and launch successful products.
- Increased funding opportunities: The program can help startups to increase their chances of securing funding from investors.
Interested participants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be early-stage fintech startups that are using AWS to build their businesses.
- Have a product or service that is in the development or early-stage launch phase.
- Be located in one of the following regions: North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, or Latin America.
To apply for the program, visit: Applications
Apply for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme before 13 August 2023
Apply for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme before 13 August 2023
The Westerwelle Startup Haus invites applicants for the Young Founders Programme’s Autumn Cohort. The 6-month Programme aims to support the development of entrepreneurs by providing participants with mentoring, peer learning, access to experts, and exposure to the Berlin startup ecosystem.
Successful applicants to the Programme will receive the following benefits:
- Mentorship: Each participant is paired with a successful entrepreneur or mentor who can provide guidance and support.
- Peer learning: Participants can network with other young entrepreneurs from around the world.
- Access to experts: The Programme features several expert sessions where participants can learn from business leaders.
- Exposure to the Berlin startup ecosystem: The Programme culminates in a 5-day conference in Berlin, where participants learn about the latest trends in the startup world.
Interested applicants should meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
- Be a citizen of an emerging market.
- Have a viable business idea or startup.
- Be fluent in English.
To apply, visit: Applications.