Are you a young entrepreneur driving climate and energy innovation? Apply now for the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator by 10 May 2025.
Are you a young entrepreneur driving climate and energy innovation? Apply now for the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator by 10 May 2025.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with Enel Foundation and Social Alpha, is launching the third edition of the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) — a four-month, equity-free hybrid programme designed to empower youth-led startups, scale-ups, and growth-stage businesses in the renewable energy and climate technology sectors.
NewGen supports emerging entrepreneurs worldwide by providing the tools, mentorship, and global exposure needed to scale their solutions and drive meaningful change in the energy transition. Participants will engage with leading renewable energy and business experts to strengthen their business models, expand their customer base, and improve investment readiness.
Accelerator participants will benefit from:
- A tailored acceleration programme focused on renewable energy and climate technology
- Webinars, workshops, and dedicated mentorship facilitated by IRENA
- Access to pitching events and investor matchmaking opportunities
- Visibility through IRENA’s global platforms, including the IRENA Youth Award
Eligibility Criteria:
- Entrepreneurs aged 18–35 from anywhere in the world
- At least one founder must be under 35 years old
- At least two founders must commit 16 hours per month to participate in accelerator sessions
- Startups must focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen, geothermal, bioenergy)
- Climate adaptation technologies (water, agriculture, livestock, extreme weather, early warning systems)
- Climate mitigation technologies (transport, decarbonization, circular economy, energy efficiency, smart grids)
- Submitted work must be original and not infringe on intellectual property right
To apply, download the Application Form Template and Startup Profile PowerPoint, then submit your completed application via this application link.
Are you an entrepreneur looking to expand your business operations to export from Rwanda? Join RDB’s Export Coaching Sessions before 23 March 2025.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through its export development activities under the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Export Facilitation Department, is organizing a series of Export Coaching sessions to enhance export competence among Rwandan SMEs.
Building on the previous sessions, the next one will focus “on introducing international market entry and customs procedures to export from Rwanda”. This session will feature presentations from key institutions, including the Rwanda Standards Board, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority and the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority.
Participants in the Export Coaching sessions will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of international trade regulations and market dynamics.
- Learn practical strategies to enhance competitiveness in global markets.
- Connect with key stakeholders, including potential buyers, trade experts, and policymakers.
- Receive guidance on leveraging trade agreements to maximize export potential.
Register now to secure your spot in the upcoming sessions and take advantage of international markets.
For application details, visit Export Coaching Sessions.
Are You an Edtech Startup Looking to Scale? Apply for the WISE Edtech Accelerator 2025-2026
Are You an Edtech Startup Looking to Scale? Apply for the WISE Edtech Accelerator 2025-2026
The WISE Edtech Accelerator, a program by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 cohort. This initiative supports innovative early-stage education technology startups by providing mentorship, networking, and strategic business guidance.
The program is designed to help entrepreneurs refine their solutions, expand market reach, and enhance their impact on education. The 2025-2026 cycle introduces two distinct tracks:
- Local Track (Qatar-focused, for startups targeting Qatar’s education market, with mentorship and funding support)
- International Track
- Open to early-stage edtech startups worldwide.
- Access to a global network of mentors, investors, and education specialists.
- Business support valued at $50,000, including strategic guidance and market expansion resources.
- Exposure to a global audience of education decision-makers.
Participants in the WISE Edtech Accelerator receive expert mentorship in business strategy, product development, and scaling. They gain access to key education networks, including policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, helping them establish a market presence. The program also provides international visibility through WISE platforms and events, offering recognition and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, startups receive tailored support to refine their business models and maximize impact.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an early-stage edtech company with a working product beyond the MVP stage.
- Have demonstrated traction and initial sales.
- Be pre-Series A or pre-Seed with less than $500,000 in raised funding.
- Show measurable impact in education within their target markets.
Applicants must complete an online application form in English detailing their edtech solution, the problem it addresses, and their business model. Applicants must also submit a pitch deck highlighting their startup’s value proposition, market fit, and growth potential. A product demo login must also be provided to allow the WISE team to evaluate the solution’s functionality.
For more information and to apply, visit WISE Edtech Accelerator.
Applications for the Cohort 8 of the Jasiri Talent Investor Program are open. Apply now!
Applications for the Cohort 8 of the Jasiri Talent Investor Program are open. Apply now!
Jasiri, an organization focused on tackling poverty in Rwanda and Kenya, is now accepting applications for Cohort 8 of the Jasiri Talent Investor Program. The one-year, fully funded program is designed to help high-potential East African entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge they need to launch and grow successful businesses.
Through the program, successful applicants will receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors and access to resources, including business training, networking and financial support. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be citizens of Ethiopia, Kenya, or Rwanda with residence in their country or diaspora
- Be ready to pursue entrepreneurship as a full-time career and spend three months of residential intensive in Rwanda
- Be well informed and possess professional skills, with the ability to identify gaps and opportunities within the sector of interest
- Demonstrate problem-solving and value-creation abilities
- Be able to collaborate with equally ambitious peers within their cohort and co-found ventures from scratch
Interested participants will be taken through a comprehensive selection process including:
- Submission of the application
- Entrepreneurial assessment for successful applicants within seven days
- Innovation scenario assessment and pitch video for entrepreneurs that have passed the entrepreneurial assessment
- Psychometric test for entrepreneurs that have completed the innovation scenario assessment phase
- Selection conference to announce selected fellows to the program.
For more information on the program, visit Jasiri Talent Investor Program
To apply, visit Applications
Are you an entrepreneur eager to leverage AI for business growth? Apply for the Global AI Summit on Africa before 20 February 2025
Are you an entrepreneur eager to leverage AI for business growth? Apply for the Global AI Summit on Africa before 20 February 2025
The Global AI Summit on Africa, happening in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 3-4, 2025, is your gateway to AI-driven innovation, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships. This inaugural event is organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Rwanda in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Rwandan Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
Themed “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce”, the summit is designed to empower entrepreneurs, startups, and industry leaders with the tools, knowledge, and connections to scale AI-driven businesses.
The summit is designed to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Government leaders and policymakers
- Industry executives and entrepreneurs
- Investors and venture capitalists
- Academics and researchers
- Civil society organizations
- International organizations
Successful applicants will be offered the following
- Access to AI Innovation: Learn from industry leaders and discover cutting-edge AI solutions tailored for Africa.
- Investor & Funding Opportunities: Meet venture capitalists and funding partners looking to invest in AI-powered businesses.
- Networking & Collaboration: Connect with policymakers, tech pioneers, and fellow entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s AI ecosystem.
- Skill Development: Gain hands-on insights into AI applications, market trends, and growth strategies.
- Market Expansion: Discover opportunities to scale your AI-powered business across Africa and beyond.
Participation in this Summit is by invitation only. Interested individuals and organizations should request an invitation to join the event here.
Are you a Startup leveraging AI to innovate responsibly in the Cybersecurity market? Apply for the Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Cybersecurity Program before December 3 2024.
Are you a Startup leveraging AI and Machine Learning to develop tech solutions? Apply for the Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Cybersecurity Program before December 3 2024.
Google for Startups invites applicants for the AI for Cybersecurity, a three-month equity-free hybrid program that supports growth-stage startups in solving problems using advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence, to grow and innovate responsibly in cybersecurity. The program is designed to provide startups with the essential growth skills, internationalization strategies and Google tools and products to help them scale.
Participating startups will receive the following benefits:
- Mentorship from Google teams
- Access to Google’s network of industry experts
- Strategic support in shaping the startup’s company product and strategy
- Equity free support
Interested startups must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate traction, ideally between Seed to Series A stage
- Have a scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
- Focused on leveraging AI to address cybersecurity challenges such as prevention, protection, research, and/or threat analysis and sharing.
To apply for the program, visit Applications.
Call for applications for the Anzisha Prize Fellowship program. Apply before 8 November 2024.
Call for applications for the Anzisha Prize Fellowship program. Apply before 8 November 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 fulfil 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 a solution with a significant positive impact on your community? Apply for Young Global Changemakers Recoupling Awards program funding before 31 October 2024.
Do you have a solution with a significant positive impact on your community? Apply for funding from the Young Global Changemakers Recoupling Awards program before 31 October 2024.
The Young Global Changemakers Recoupling Awards, a program that recognizes and supports youth entrepreneurs making a significant impact in their communities, invites applicants for its 2024 Award edition. The program aims to identify, celebrate, and empower young individuals whose projects foster social prosperity, directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate change, and support the power shift towards citizens engaging in the civic space.
Interested applicants can apply to one of the following categories:
- Reimagine Business – To be eligible, your organization must be a viable social enterprise engaged in commercial activities with a positive social or ecological impact, aiming for financial self-sufficiency, and purposefully aligning business strategy with economic prosperity, social well-being, or environmental sustainability.
- Reimagine Social – Your project must align with a values-driven, not-for-profit mission, incorporate an operational strategy focused on social well-being and environmental sustainability, and be involved in one or more social or environmental activities.
- Climate Action Award – To be eligible, your project must follow a values-driven, not-for-profit mission addressing social or environmental concerns, focus on enhancing civic engagement and public participation, and implement a strategy that incorporates social well-being and environmental sustainability.
Applicants who qualify will receive various recognitions based on their respective eligibility criteria:
- All Eligible Applicants: Join the Young Global Changers Extended Circle, where they receive invitations to Global Solutions events, workshops, and more.
- Top 50 Applicants: Become the new members of the Young Global Changers community, with their projects showcased on the Global Solutions Initiative website.
- Top 15 Applicants: Receive a full scholarship to attend the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, including the following benefits:
- Two full days of preparation, workshops, and coaching sessions (May 3-4, 2025).
- Free admission to the Global Solutions Summit 2025 (May 5-6, 2025).
- Opportunity to present their projects to an international jury and a global audience.
- Networking opportunities with leading figures from academia, business, politics, and civil society.
- Fully funded accommodation for the duration of the Summit and Prep-Days (May 2-7, 2025).
- Coverage of travel expenses to and from Berlin.
- Post-summit possibilities for further engagement as part of the global network of Young Global Changers.
- Category Winners: The winner of each category will receive a €2,500 prize and additional support for their project.
For more information and application details, visit 2025 YGC Recoupling Awards
Are you a woman with an innovative tech solution? Apply for funding from the Aurora Tech Award before 21 November 2024.
Are you a woman with an innovative tech solution? Apply for funding from the Aurora Tech Award before 21 November 2024.
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
- Be founded or co-founded and led by a woman
- Have a working prototype or Most Viable Product (MVP)
- Fit in the investment limit of USD 4 million in funding, including seed round
Winners of the Aurora Tech Award will receive:
- A cash prize of $85,000 – financial support for the top 5 winners
- 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-owned business in need of support? Apply for Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment.
Are you a woman-owned business in need of support? Apply for Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) invites women applicants for the “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment” project, part of the Ministry’s Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fir Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project aims to empower women in the private sector by empowering women-owned businesses, creating new jobs for women and improving their working conditions.
The project will offer women-owned businesses partnerships through “Integrated Development Partnerships with the Private Sector (iDDPs). GIZ will support eligible project ideas with in-kind contributions such as access to national and international experts, capacity-building support, and small-scale equipment/material purchases. The partner company is expected to match -in-kind or in cash – the value of resources invested into the project.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following:
- Company is majority-owned by a woman/women (at least 51%).
- Company must be profit-oriented and not engaged in business practices that are unsustainable or harmful to development outcomes.
- Company is privately owned and must be legally registered in Rwanda for at least two years.
- Preference will be given to labour-intensive sectors that can create more new jobs.
- Company must have sufficient financial and human resources to co-implement the project idea with GIZ with an annual revenue of at least 20,000 Euros in 2023.
Applicants should email an expression of interest in English to rwanda@invest-for-jobs.com by September 6, 2024. The subject line should be labelled “Expression of Interest for Partnerships with Women-Owned Companies”. The expression of interest must be in a concept note format.