If you are an African startup founder looking to grow your business, you should look into these opportunities. From accelerator programmes and cash prizes to mentorship and technical support, each opportunity provides unique benefits that could help your business grow.
ICCROM Cultural Entrepreneurship Programme
As part of the international project Undertaking Business in Culture, a collaboration between ICCROM and the Fondazione Scuola dei beni e delle attività culturali, applications are now open for suitable learning partners to join the Cultural Entrepreneurship Programme.
We are looking for 20 creative business minds who have a few years of experience as cultural entrepreneurs; are inspiring and creative; are innovators and risk takers in the cultural heritage and creative industries in their country; and are dedicated to transforming and contributing to the sustainability of the creative and cultural sector.
Benefits: Specialized training and mentoring in business modeling, fundraising, and sponsorship, among other things.
Application deadline: July 10, 2023
Find out more about the programme.
Smart Media Accelerator
The Smart Media Accelerator (SMA) is DW Akademie’s initiative to identify, support and accelerate media outlets and start-up media projects, all in the name of quality journalism in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Under the umbrella of the SMA, the incubation program MEDIA LOVES TECH supports young start-ups and projects in the “prototype phase”, while the MEDIA PARCOURS accelerates the growth of already founded quality-oriented media outlets.
The Smart Media Accelerator (SMA) is the hub for quality journalism and consists of two different projects (MEDIA LOVES TECH and MEDIA PARCOURS) which are unified by the same goal: to enhance the quality of journalism and reporting.
Benefits: Up to 10,000 € in funding, Online trainings and masterclasses, access to experts on demand, a community of entrepreneurs and experts, networking opportunities.
Application deadline: July 15, 2023
Find out more about the accelerator here.
Ecobank Fintech Challenge
The Ecobank Fintech Challenge identifies and partners Fintechs that are ready to scale and provides them with support and access to opportunities in Ecobank’s 35 African markets. The goal? To contribute to their growth as potential Pan African Fintech success stories.
The Challenge is open to all Fintechs on the African continent. Interested Fintechs can apply by sending details of their product as well as a demo here. These products must address one or more of a specific set of pain points including; customer experience, financial inclusion, credit scoring, ecosystem aggregation, internal tools, payments, any other relevant product categories.
Benefits: Cash prizes of up to $50,000, access to Ecobank’s Pan-African banking sandbox, access to partner network, service provider partnerships, multinational product roll out, integration with Ecobank’s existing digital offerings.
Application deadline: July 21, 2023
Apply for the challenge here.
THRIVE Global Impact Challenge
The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge is a global search for the most innovative startups who are advancing a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Impact Challenge is focused on four key themes, each one central to supporting the transition to a net-zero future for agriculture.
Benefits: THRIVE Global Impact Challenge Award, a spot on the THRIVE Global Accelerator Program, a $1 million investment from SVG Ventures, participation in Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp, and the Impact Strategy Program.
Application deadline: July 28, 2023
Learn more about the challenge here.
Eramet Water Resource Innovation Challenge
Eramet is calling on impact start-ups or SMEs from around the world to propose innovative technologies or products that address key water challenges of the mining and metals industry to protect our water resources.
The mining industry faces significant challenges in managing water resources sustainably, including water scarcity, water pollution, and conflicts with other water users. That is why Eramet is looking for disruptive solutions designed to deliver rapid, transformative change towards a sustainable mining and metals industry. The primary focus of this challenge is to minimize the environmental impact of the mining and metals industry, and to promote sustainable development through technology.
Benefits: 50,000 € prize, visibility for your solution, technical and business support from industry experts.
Application deadline: September 13, 2023
Learn more about the challenge here.
Do not forget to go through our previous posts for more opportunities to help your startup thrive.
