Access to funding is one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs today, especially in Africa but upon research, we discovered that there are countless funding opportunities available for African entrepreneurs and beyond. Access to detailed information about these opportunities is also a challenge for most entrepreneurs, however, in this article we’ve taken the liberty to curate five out of the many funding opportunities that are currently available. Take your time and make an effort to conduct further research on your own to get as much information about these funding opportunities before applying. We wish you the best!
1. Potraz Innovation Drive Hackathon 2022
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe has opened up a hackathon challenge to Zimbabwean innovators with ideas that make use of ICTs, or promote the use of ICTs, to improve the social and economic standing of the country. Individuals or a team of motivated people who would like to further develop their innovative idea or an existing project can follow the link for more details.Those willing to participate in the Challenge must have completed their Application Forms, not later than 19 June 2022.
2. Africa’s Business Heroes Prize 2022
Applications are currently ongoing for the 2022 Africa’s Business Heroes Prize. Courtesy of the Jack Ma Foundation, the initiative aims to support innovative African entrepreneurs and has, over the years given out $1.5 million in grant money yearly. Other benefits of this competition include access to mentoring and training programmes designed to help entrepreneurs improve their craft. Interested startup owners and entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, across every sector, age group, and gender are invited to submit their applications for a chance to become one of the top 10 finalists. Applications are invited until the 20th of June, apply now.
3. Huawei Spark Ignite 2022
Huawei Spark Ignite 2022 edition is calling for a new batch of startups who DARE TO EXCEED the boundaries of their perceived limits by partnering Huawei to help startups realize their ambitions and exceed their potential. Applications are open to ambitious growth startups, with existing commercially available products/services. If you are a growing startup, looking to scale new heights and have the potential to experience exponential growth, then this opportunity is for you. The deadline for applications is the 20th of June, find out more
4. The Last Mile Money Accelerator programme
African startups are invited to apply for the Last Mile Money Accelerator programme, which offers funding and support to startups serving last-mile communities with digital financial services and cash-in/cash-out innovations. Promising early-stage ventures that are connecting underserved communities in emerging markets to digital financial services are invited to apply until July 15th, 2022. Read more here
5. The annual Digital Innovation Competition for African Startups
$25000 is up for grabs through the Digital Innovation Competition open to African entrepreneurs, startups, and independent innovators. If your startup is turning ideas into digital innovation for the improvement of living conditions for Africans amid the pandemic, then this call is for you. The annual Digital Innovation Competition for African Startups is facilitated every year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center (USAfBC) in partnership with AmChams across Africa. Each year, the Competition awards talented innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups behind digital products and services that create a positive impact on African citizens. Find out more and apply here, entries must be received by 5:59 PM CAT, June 30, 2022.
We hope you found this list helpful, we shall be launching our quarterly newsletter soon for you to stay up to date with industry news and more opportunities. At Eight2Five Innovation Hub we have several similar opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, our next cohort of the Value Creation Challenge will be launching soon so keep following us across all our social media platforms.
