Are you an entrepreneur in the Agri-food sector interested in scaling up your business? Apply for the GoGettaz Competition by 19 June 2023
Are you an entrepreneur in the Agri-food sector interested in scaling up your business? Apply for the GoGettaz Competition by 19 June 2023
Generation Africa, a partnership initiative aimed at strengthening the ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector, invites applicants for the GoGetttaz Agripreneur Competition. This year’s edition will focus on supporting entrepreneurs whose ventures battle climate change, hunger, and poverty. Interested applicants must join the GoGettaz community before applying. Through the GoGettaz community, they will gain access to education, mentorship, and investment networks to help them launch, grow and scale their agri-food ventures. Additionally, two successful participants (one female and one male) will win USD 50,000 for the most innovative and scalable business ventures.
Interested entrepreneurs must fulfill the following criteria to apply:
- Be aged 35 years or younger on the date of submission and be legally recognized as an adult in the country of their nationality
- Have nationality (with an official ID) from an African Union member country
- Be a founder/co-founder of the venture he/she represents in the Competition and play an active role in its leadership and operations
- Have no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony, or other offense and be willing to offer a signed declaration to that effect, if requested
Additionally, the business venture must also fulfill the following criteria to be considered for the Competition:
- Be legally registered in a country that is a member of the African Union or will have commenced with the registration of such a legal entity before 1 July 2022
- Be headquartered in a country that is a member of the African Union
- Be designed to be financially sustainable, either as a for-profit business or a non-profit generating some revenue and aiming not to be dependent on donor funding
- Have a role to play in the agri-food sector and/or supports the development of the agri-food sector through an innovation or process improvement
- The agri-food sector may be defined as businesses including:
- Agri-food research & development
- Primary food production (farming)
- Crop nutrition
- Irrigation
- Mechanization, automation, or robotics, including drones
- Crop protection
- Hydroponics or urban farming
- Transport, distribution, storage, or logistics
- Food processing
- Packaging or marketing
- Food retail or service
- Waste management or recycling
- Digital or technology solutions/services to the agri-food sector
- Innovative finance solutions/services to the agri-food sector
- Renewable energy or environmental solutions/services to the agri-food sector
To apply for this Competition, visit: GoGettaz Competition Application
Are you an e-health start-up interested in funding? Apply for the Investing in Africa i3 Program before 26 June 2023
Are you an e-health start-up interested in funding? Apply for the Investing in Africa i3 Program before 22 May 2023
Investing in Innovation (i3), a pan-African initiative invites e-health start-ups to the Investing in Africa i3 Program. i3 aims to accelerate the development and scale-up of innovative solutions that improve the availability, accessibility, affordability, quality and visibility of health products at scale in Africa. The Program seeks to advance access for start-ups traditionally excluded from funding and support, including women-led companies and founders in Francophone Africa.
Successful applicants will benefit from the following:
- Grant of USD 50,000 to support commercialization and impact
- Access to leading donors, industry and institutional players who will facilitate introductions to customers
- Tailored investment readiness support delivered by leading innovation experts
- Opportunities to participate in i3’s flagship event, the i3 Marketplace, which connects innovators with potential partners and investors
Interested participants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be based in Africa
- Be developing a solution that addresses a health product distribution challenge in Africa
- Be at the early- or growth-stage
- Have a strong team with the experience and expertise to execute on their business plan
To apply for the Program, visit: i3 Applications
Are you a social entrepreneur with a solution aligned with the UN's SDGs? Apply for the UNLEASH Plus incubation program before 31 March 2023
Are you a social entrepreneur with a solution aligned with the UN’s SDGs? Apply for the UNLEASH Plus incubation program before 31 March 2023
UNLEASH, a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 with the aim of developing solutions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building capacity for youth globally, invites applicants for the UNLEASH Plus incubation program. UNLEASH Plus is a 6-month incubation program for entrepreneurs working on social and environmental challenges in line with the UN’s SDGs. Through the program, participants will receive skills development training, and tools, to test their early-stage solutions and design for llarge-scaleimpact.
Through a partnership with Chemonics International, UNLEASH Plus supports teams with existing prototypes to become impactful social ventures. Participants will have access to learning materials, the opportunity to join interactive workshops, receive direct support from experts and make connections to investors and partners during the program to accelerate their intended impact.
The program will be implemented in 3 phases:
The Roadmap: Basecamp is a practical two-day event where participants meet and witness pitches from other teams in their cohort. Participants also engage with their mentors and align on the vision, business model and priorities for their 6-month plan during the program.
The Journey: The second phase is the core 21-week virtual program that focuses on team development, solution testing and refinement, strategy, and pitching. During this phase, the goal is to launch the first complete solution that will attract the right customers, partners, and funders to accelerate the participant’s journey.
The Future: in-person program in India for top 25 teams. The last phase is the in-person finale of UNLEASH Plus during the Global Innovation Lab Karnataka (India). During this phase, teams will receive intensive tailored support from world-class experts to refine strategies, meet with potential partners and pitch their solutions to investors awarding cash prizes at the Dragon’s Den.
Interested applicants should fulfil the following to apply:
- Have at least 2 active team members participating throughout the program
- Be willing to commit at least 8 hours per team per week
- Have at least half of the team members aged 35 years or younger
- Have a validated, working prototype of a solution that addresses one or more of the SDGs
- Have documented feedback, references, or testimonials from early testing with actual users or prospective customers that demonstrate market demand for the solution
- Have a solution responsive to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- Be a legal entity with the ability to receive funds
- Have raised a maximum of 50,000 USD raised to date
To apply for the program, visit: Submit application
Apply for Google for Startups Black Founders Fund Africa before 26 March 2023
Apply for Google for Startups Black Founders Fund Africa before 26 March 2023
Google for Startups invites applicants for the Black Founders Fund Africa, a program that aims to support early-stage black-founded startups that benefit the black community on the African continent. The program seeks explicitly to bridge the existing fundraising gap for black startup founders in Africa’s fast-growing technology landscape. Google for Startups has set aside up to USD 150,000 in equity-free cash, up to USD 200,000 in Google cloud credits, and access to the best of Google – people, products, and practices. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to receive mentorship support to accelerate business growth and to connect with Google for Startups Accelerator & Partner program alumni.
The Black Founders Fund Africa is intended for startups in Africa seeking seed-stage funding that meet the following criteria:
- Have an existing product or service for Africa and the global market
- Demonstrate the ability to create jobs, raise more funding, and make an impact
- The founding team should at least have one black C-level founding member (COO, CEO, or CFO)
- The company should be operating as a technology startup or a business where technology is a core for the ability to scale
- Proposed startup products/services should be compatible with Google products
To apply for this program, visit: Applications
Are you an early-stage social entrepreneur interested in funding? Apply for the Roddenberry Foundation Catalyst Fund 2023
Are you an early-stage social entrepreneur interested in funding? Apply for the Roddenberry Foundation Catalyst Fund 2023
The Roddenberry Foundation invites innovators with early-stage ideas or projects addressing pressing global challenges to apply for the Foundation’s Catalyst Fund. The Fund will provide grants between USD 2500 and USD 15000 to projects or ideas demonstrating a high potential for lasting impact. Ideas or projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Innovative: Approaches or strategies that innovate on existing models — What are you building on? What other solutions already exist?
- Community-based: You deeply understand the communities you work on behalf of and have a good understanding of their needs. How are they engaged in the process? How will they be able to maintain the solution over time?
- High potential for impact: Does your solution address a recognized issue that affects a significant percentage of people?
- Sustainable: Experienced team and an intelligent strategy for driving change — Who and what is driving the change? Why is this the right team? What makes this the right strategic bet right now?
Candidates for the Fund can be individuals, non-profit organizations, or social entrepreneurs. Interested participants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Submit the application in English
- Include completed responses to all required application questions
- Agree to all legal terms and conditions of the Catalyst Fund grant program
- Be able to receive grant funding legally
To apply for the Fund, visit: Application for Catalyst Fund
Are you a FoodTech or AgTech company in need of funding? Apply for the Cohort 4 of the Growth Impact Accelerator program before 24 February 2023
Are you a FoodTech or AgTech company in need of funding? Apply for the Cohort 4 of the Growth Impact Accelerator program before 24 February 2023
GROW, a global agriculture and food technology accelerator, invite applicants for the 4th cohort of the Growth Impact Accelerator Program, backed by AgFunder. The program seeks to support foodtech and agtech startups tackling the global challenge of sustainability. Through the program, successful applicants will receive USD 100,000 in investment funding from AgFunder. Participants will receive additional benefits including:
- Access to growth partners for product testing, development, and scaling
- Matching with global agrifood multinational corporations to support customer validation and feedback, deploying pilot projects, and securing new sales contracts
- Access to AgFunder’s private and institutional investment global networks to support fundraising
- Access to an experienced team of coaches and mentors
- Access to physical workspace in Singapore (or virtual office address, if overseas) throughout the program duration
- Access to media exposure and publicity through AgFunder’s news platform, events, and a demo day at the conclusion of the program
- Support with Singapore EntrePass visa application through GROW’s partnership with Enterprise Singapore
Interested applicants should have solutions in the following areas:
- Advancing smallholder farmers
- Supply chain rationalization
- Alt-proteins and novel foods and ingredients
- Climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture
- Personalized nutrition & health
- Food waste valorization
- Circular economy
To apply for the program, visit: Application form
Are you an early-stage startup with a tech solution for the world’s most significant challenges? Apply for the Norrsken Accelerator – 2023 cohort.
Are you an early-stage startup with a tech solution for the world’s most significant challenges? Apply for the Norrsken Accelerator – 2023 cohort.
Norrsken Foundation, a non-profit foundation based in Switzerland, seeks applicants for its Accelerator programme. The 2023 edition of the Accelerator programme is designed to identify the world’s most promising impact startups and support them to scale. The programme targets early-stage startups globally that leverage technology to create and scale innovative solutions to new and old societal and environmental challenges.
The program includes an eight-week growth sprint and Norrsken House in Stockholm and a mentorship roster of 50 entrepreneurs, investors and unicorn founders. Applicants will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to over 300 top international investors. Successful applicants will receive a USD 125,000 upfront or pre-seed investment from the Norrsken Foundation.
To apply, visit: Norrsken Accelerator Application
Westerwelle Start-Up Haus seeks applicants for its Young Founders Program – Apply before 15 February 2023
Westerwelle Start-Up Haus seeks applicants for its Young Founders Program – Apply before 15 February 2023
The Westerwelle Start-up Haus invites young entrepreneurs to participate in their Westerwelle Young Founders Program (YFP). The six-month program aims to support young entrepreneurs with targeted support to scale their ventures and develop leadership abilities in contributing toward building a sustainable future.
During the program, successful applicants will participate in the following activities:
- Kick-Off Conference: A two-day virtual kick-off conference will take place on March 3 and 6, 2023
- Remote Program:From March to August 2023, participants will receive six months of support, including a personal mentor, monthly peer mentoring sessions, monthly expert workshops, and networking opportunities with corporate representatives and investors
- Berlin Conference:Ten best-performing participants will be invited to a five-day conference in May 2024, where they will have the opportunity to pitch to investors, participate in workshops, join networking events, and participate in the German start-up scene
Interested applicants should demonstrate high potential for impact and growth while fulfilling the criteria below:
- Recently (in the last five years) started a for-profit company focused on developing or emerging markets;
- Have a company that possesses a scalable business model that has ideally generated revenue or secured a first round of external funding;
- Have a business that possesses disruptive qualities that can increase the quality, impact, or inclusiveness of the industry;
- Possess a good working knowledge of English;
- Be available to attend the digital kick-off conference and participate in program activities for six months.
To apply, visit: Westerwelle Young Founder Program
Do you want to expand your tech business into global markets? Apply for the Eastern Africa Startup Awards before 31 January 2023
Do you want to expand your tech business into global markets? Apply for the Eastern Africa Startup Awards before 31 January 2023
The Global Startup Awards, an independent startup ecosystem competition, invites applicants for the Eastern Africa Startup Awards competition. The Startup Awards connects East African tech startups across the region to a global network of leading innovators and investors. The competition will award and support entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystem leaders making an impact in the following areas:
- Environmental sustainability
- Inclusive economic growth
- Emerging technologies and innovation
- Cross-border collaboration
Successful applicants in the competition will benefit from the following:
- Access to new markets
- Access to funding opportunities
- Access to a global network of leaders
- Exposure on a global stage
The competition process also brings together local ambassadors, country partners, national and international jury members, and key advisors to identify innovative startups in all aspects of the ecosystem.
To apply for the competition, visit: Applications
Are you a woman entrepreneur in need of funding and mentorship for your business? Apply for the Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship for Africa program before 31 December 2022
Are you a woman entrepreneur in need of funding and mentorship for your business? Apply for the Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship for Africa program before 31 December 2022
Seedstars, a Swiss-based global organization in partnership with the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) and Growth Africa invite business development service providers and women entrepreneurs to apply for the Enhancing Women in Entrepreneurship for Africa program. The program aims two enhance women’s business skills via a two-pronged approach – increasing the capacity and sustainability of providers supporting women-led SMEs and increasing access to mentorship, funding, and visibility for women-led SMEs.
Interested business development service providers should:
- Be based in one of the following countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Zambia, DRC, Cameroon, Mali, Zimbabwe, Bostwana)
- Enhance the viability and sustainability of women-led SMEs
- Provide innovative approaches to ecosystem support designed to close the financing gap for women-led SMEs
- Introduce innovative ways to provide capacity building for women-led SMEs
- Provide digital presence and visibility to women-led SMEs
- Provide access to mentorship for women-led SMEs
Interested women-led SMES should:
- Be between seed and growth stage
- Be based in one of the above countries
- Have at least one woman on the founding team
- Have a digital element in their product (for example: Mobile application, Online Shop, SAAS product, etc.)
To apply for the program, visit: Applications