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Young Entrepreneurs in Africa – How about a $100,000 Prize from Anzisha?

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The Anzisha Prize is Africa’s highest award for young entrepreneurs.

Overview

  • The Anzisha Prize seeks to award young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to social challenges or started successful businesses within their communities.
  • 15 finalists from across Africa will win a spot in a lifelong fellowship that will help accelerate their path to succeeding as entrepreneurs.
  • All finalists get an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa, and to experience a weeklong entrepreneurship workshop and conference at the African Leadership Academy campus on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

What does the scholarship cover?

  • The grand prize winners, selected from these finalists, will share prizes worth $100,000 USD.
  • Each of the 15 finalists will receive a $7500 fellowship package with Africa Leadership Academy’s Youth Entrepreneur support Unit (YES-U). This includes the Anzisha Week boot camp, consulting services, mentorship, networking opportunities, travel opportunities and business equipment.
  • The $7500 fellowship package includes:
    1. $2000 access to a world-renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum and training with the potential for further investment based on engagement and performance
    2. $2 500 worth of rewards from consulting and mentorship services
    3. $2000 worth of rewards from Global speaking events or Experts in Residence support
    4. $1000 worth of rewards from Regional Indabas across the continent (regional gatherings of Africa Leadership Academy Alumni)
  • The Annual Grand Prize winner receives $25,000. The 1st Runner-up receives $15,000, the 2nd Runner-up $12,500 and all the remaining finalists receive $2500 each.
  • An additional prize category of $25000 has since been created to reward performance of Anzisha fellows. This award recognizes those entrepreneurs who have extracted the highest value from the Anzisha program to date.

How many awards are given?

  • 15

Which countries are targeted?

  • African countries

Am I Eligible to Apply?

  1. You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before November 1, 1996, or after October 31, 2004, will not be considered.
  2. You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries.
  3. Your business must be up and running. The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! You have time to get started now and have tangible results to share before applications open.
  4. Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply.
  5. Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started a business together). One person can apply for the Prize, on behalf of the team.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

  • Applications are made online, in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese.

The selection criteria for ventures are as follows:

  1. An already running venture: Is the venture already established, with customers and beneficiaries? Does this venture deliver value to these individuals?
  2. Impact: Has this venture demonstrated some impact already?
  3. Founder-led: Is the venture owned, led and managed by the founder?
  4. Scalability: IF this venture is a for-profit business, does it already earn revenue, and does it have potential to increase revenue with the support of Anzisha? If the venture is a not-for-profit enterprise, does it already reach beneficiaries, and does it have the potential to reach even more beneficiaries with Anzisha’s support?
  5. Job Creation: Has this venture created jobs? Does it have the potential to create even more high-quality jobs?

The selection criteria for fellows are as follows:

  1. Venture leader: Are you the leader of your venture, and do you drive its strategy and operations?
  2. Commitment: Do you spend at least 20 hours (or more) per week at your business? Will you continue to do so after selection?

The following documents must be attached to your application.

  1. A copy of your ID (an identification document)
  2. Company registration documents (only required if your venture is registered)
  3. Logos for your venture or project
  4. Pictures of your project
  5. A photo of yourself

Closing Date

  • Applications close on 31 March 2018

How do I get more information?

 

 

 

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