There is a growing need for funding and support for startups and entrepreneurs across Africa. Investors around the globe have shown interest in providing that support for the advancement and development of innovative startups that show traction and potential to scale up. Unless you try to identify and pursue opportunities when you need them, your business may lag behind. Below we have compiled another list of five opportunities you can take advantage of. Make a point to research further and find out more about the supporting organizations and what they are looking for.
1. Investing in Innovation (i3) (Deadline 14 July 2022)
Investing in Innovation (i3) is a pan-African initiative designed to support the commercialization and impact of promising early & growth-stage companies with grants & access to market support. The initiative seeks high-potential startups who can help transform the availability, accessibility, affordability, quality and visibility of health products at scale – creating health impact and prosperity. Selected startups will be supported through the facilitation of systematic deployment of grants, and access to market mechanisms to connect them to customers who can drive their impact at scale. JOIN THE PROGRAM.
2. The Young Founders Programme (Deadline: 9 August 2022)
The Young Founders Programme is a 6-month fellowship for 50 outstanding young entrepreneurs from emerging and developing markets. It brings together leaders from all over the world, who are united in the pursuit to achieve entrepreneurial greatness. The programme is an initiative of The Westerwelle Foundation initiative, launched in 2016 and it offers targeted support to scale selected founders’ ventures and develop their leadership abilities. Applications for the Automn 2022 cohort are open until Tuesday the 9th of August. Interested and eligible young startup owners can apply on this link
3. Startup Wise Guys accelerator (Deadline: 31 August 2022)
Startup Wise Guys accelerator is an intense, high-energy, straightforward approach to coaching from practitioners. Selected startups will be invited to participate in a five-month intensive accelerator that will combine online modules with local and international mentors and experts. They will gain access to EUR65,000 (US$71,000) in funding, in return for an equity stake worth up to 12 per cent. The accelerator is primarily sales and scaling focused with a fundraising component helping teams be in a position to raise the next funding round within 6 months. The programme has four verticals – B2B SaaS, Fintech, Cyber, and Sustainability. The accelerator programme boasts an 80%overall startup survival rate from the over 400 founders they have worked with. Find out more and apply here
4.The Center for Financial Inclusion (Deadline: 25 July 2022)
The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) launched the third year of Inclusive Fintech 50 (IF50), a competition that recognizes the most promising inclusive fintech startups pushing the frontiers of fintech innovation. Each year, 50 startups are selected based on four criteria: inclusivity, innovation, scale potential, and traction. This year, the winners will receive significant visibility among investors and partners through features in the media, a knowledge product, and by being featured at Financial Inclusion Week. Start your application or request further information here.
5.ENRICH in Africa Innovation start-up support programme (Deadline: 19 July 2022)
ENRICH in Africa Innovation start-up support is a programme for innovators, entrepreneurs, start-ups or SMEs from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Senegal, Sudan or Zambia working to achieve SDG 12 & SDG 13. Applications are invited until 19 July 2022. The programme will be hosted by local Impact Hubs in the aforementioned countries. ENRICH in Africa is looking for 15 (3 per country) of the most successful, impactful and promising start-ups to participate in a four-month entrepreneurial start-up support programme. Find out more
We do hope you found this list helpful. All the best in your business and the opportunities you choose to pursue. We are pleased that two of our hub members, Marvellous Nyongoro (The Housing Hub) and Loyd Tafireyi (E-exam), applied to one of the opportunities we shared in June and they were successful. May you consider these opportunities seriously and please keep following Eight2Five Innovation Hub on our social media platforms for more opportunities, industry news and events.
