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
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 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.
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 an innovative start-up tech company interested in securing funding? Apply for the Hanga Pitchfest before 17 October 2022
Are you an innovative start-up tech company interested in securing funding? Apply for the Hanga Pitchfest before 17 October 2022
The Government of Rwanda led by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Development Board invites applicants for the second edition of the Hanga Pitchfest. The event brings together angel investors, tech company founders, private sector business leaders, and key players in the creative industry and academia. Hanga Pitchfest seeks tech-enabled start-ups or high-growth start-ups that demonstrate potential to scale up through the use of technology.
Building on last year’s Pitchfest, the 2022 edition aims to provide a unique platform for tech entrepreneurs and creative talents in Rwanda to showcase and promote the use of technology and innovation in Rwanda’s market. Participants are given a platform to network with potential investors and business partners.
Successful participants in the Hanga Pitchfest will win the following cash prizes:
- USD 50, 000 for the top start-up
- USD 12, 500 for four runners-up
To apply, visit: Hanga Pitchfest 2022
Register for the upcoming USAFRICA Business Expo Week
Register for the upcoming USAFRICA Business Expo Week
The USAfrica Business Expo Week, a Business-to-Business (B2B) trade show, conference, and networking event happening around the UN General Assembly, invites businesses interested in finding new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities to the September 12 – 22, 2022 event. The Expo will take place in New York, USA.
Participating businesses can network and consult with potential business partners and relevant global business development agencies. Additionally, participants will have access to an exhibition highlighting tools and resources to enable their business to grow.
Interested participants can attend virtually or in person, depending on the tickets they purchase. Attendants from outside the United States of America can opt to pay a standard package of USD 700 or a complete international package of USD 1500.
For more information on the event, visit: USAFRICA Business EXPO WEEK
To purchase tickets to the, visit: USAFRICA EXPO Tickets
How to network your way to building a robust business
How to network your way to building a robust business
If you want to build a robust business, it is important to get out there, make connections, and network with others. Business networking involves connecting with potential customers and other individuals who might refer business to you. It also means making contact with people who can provide key information that can help you grow your business and is based on creating trusting relationships with other businesspeople.
Networking helps you promote your business and can lead to new opportunities, both very important as business owners seek to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, with the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which have meant fewer chances to meet others in person, there has been a shift to networking virtually, which can actually offer you more opportunities to build connections across borders.
Below are some key reasons why networking is important for your small business and tips on how to network well to achieve your business goals.
- Networking is a great way to acquire new business leads. Leveraging the contacts you make when you meet people can open doors for business opportunities. Always communicate professionally when you follow up on leads, be sensitive to timing (for example, send that email when you promised to), and use common courtesy when following up.
- Networking can help you to identify business best practices. Learning from what others do is a valuable strategy for all businesses. For example, suppose you own a wholesale store and belong to an association. Ask around to find programs that other members use for stock management or other critical operational tasks that you can bring back to your own business.
- Regular networking will help you build confidence. It will help you become more familiar with talking to people you don’t know over time, enhancing your communications skills and enabling you to make lasting connections that can bring both positive professional and personal results.
- Networking is a great way to make relevant connections. It will enable you to meet and engage with highly influential people you wouldn’t otherwise be able to talk to or find easily. You can call on these new connections for assistance when you need them. So be sure to ask the right questions to find out if the person you are networking with knows who you want to know.
Don’t wait until you have run out of opportunities to start networking. Be sure to start making these connections to expand the number of opportunities that come your way!
