AfriLabs/Visa RevUp Women Initiative 2023 – Call for Women-Led Businesses

AfriLabs is calling on women-led businesses across select locations in Africa to apply for this cohort of the initiative.

When is Application Deadline: 14th July 2023

Tell Me About Award: RevUp Women Initiative is an enterprise development programme for early-stage women-led businesses in Africa. It is designed to accelerate these businesses into profitable & sustainable ventures that can stimulate the creation of jobs on the continent. The initiative aims to foster gender equality and inclusive economic growth through enterprise development training, mentorship, peer-to-peer learning and providing access to finance. This cohort is funded by The Visa Foundation.

Type: Entrepreneurship

Who can Apply? The applications are open to early-stage women-led businesses across Africa. These businesses must meet the following criteria before applying;

• At least 51 per cent owned by a woman
• Be led by a woman 
• Be located in any of these cities in Africa
  • Nigeria –  Lagos, Abuja
  • South Africa –  Johannesburg, Cape Town
  • Cameroon – Douala, Yaounde
  • Kenya –  Nairobi, Kisumu
  • Democratic Republic of Congo-  Kinshasa, Lubumbashi
• Have an already existing service or product
• Have evidence of sales of existing services or product 
• Have an existing business model
• Registered and incorporated in the country of operation
• Be operational for at least 6 months
• Be able to dedicate 8 weeks to an intense hybrid training and mentoring session

Note: Evidence of sales would be requested during the due diligence phase

How are Applicants Selected? In this cohort, 500 businesses will go through a rigorous training and mentoring session and ten (10), one(1) in each pilot city will be selected to be funded by the programme. Each of the selected businesses will be funded with a matching grant of 10,000 dollars, following the criteria and model of the Catalytic Africa fund.

Which Countries are Eligible? African countries

How Many Awards? 10

What is the Benefit of Award?

• Access to high-quality female mentors Across Africa
• 10 business owners will be selected to be funded with 10,000 dollars following the Catalytic Africa guidelines 
• Access to additional funding opportunities for participants and a network of funders across Africa
• Access to the AfriLabs network

How to Apply: Apply Now

Visit Award Webpage for Details