Now Open: Anzisha Prize $100,000 Entrepreneurs Awards 2019 for Young African Entrepreneurs

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.

Application Deadline: 31st March 2019

About the Award: 12 finalists from across Africa will win an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to be a part of a week-long entrepreneurship workshop and conference at the African Leadership Academy campus on the outskirts of Johannesburg.  The grand prize winners, selected from these finalists, will share prizes worth $100,000 USD

The Anzisha Prize is funded by a generous grant from the MasterCard Foundation.

Africa needs strong, innovative entrepreneurial young leaders to create jobs, solve problems and drive our economies. Our continent’s future will be determined by entrepreneurial leaders across all sectors. We believe fundamentally in the power of youth-led change.

Type: Entrepreneurship

Number of Awards: 12 young entrepreneurs will be selected

Eligibility: As you prepare to apply, make sure you are eligible to enter:

1. You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before April 16, 1995 or after April 16, 2002 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.

Selection Criteria: To be selected as one of our 12 Anzisha Fellows, your business or project will be judged on the following 5 criteria:

• Already Running Venture: Is the venture established with customers and beneficiaries? Does the venture deliver value to said beneficiaries and customers?
• Founder-led: Is the venture led and managed by the founder?
• Impact: Has the venture demonstrated some impact already?
• Scalability: If the venture is a for-profit business, does it already earn revenues and does it have potential increase revenues 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 many more beneficiaries with support from Anzisha?
• Job Creation: Has the venture created some jobs and has the potential to create more high quality jobs?

To be selected as one of our Anzisha Fellows, you must demonstrate the two following qualities:

• Venture leader: Are you the leader of your venture and do you drive both venture strategy and operations?
• Commitment: Do you spend at least 20 hours a week or more on your business and will you continue to do so after selection?

Value of Award: Additional investment of $8,000/ $10,000 in each Fellow

1. Monetary Reward of a shared amount of $100,000
2. $2,000 access to a world- renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum and training with the potential for further investment based on engagement and performance
3. $2,500 worth of rewards from consulting and mentorship services
4. $2,000 worth of rewards from Global speaking events or Experts in Residence support
5. $1,000 worth of rewards from Regional Indabas across the continent

Each fellow also gains access to the African Leadership Academy network.

How to Apply:

Visit competition webpage for details