Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
LOCATION: USA
The FINCA Ventures Prize Competition supports rising African entrepreneurs with bold visions, disruptive business models, or new products or technologies that can create meaningful impact for poor and low-income people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted by FINCA Ventures annually since 2024, the Prize Competition is a “shark tank” style event where entrepreneurs compete for the opportunity to be awarded grant funding of up to $100,000 to further develop their social enterprises. This event brings together early-stage companies and visionary leaders, donors and investors who are passionate about entrepreneurship.
ELIGIBILITY:
Companies must:
Have at least one African founder
Be a for-profit organization
Be post-revenue (generating revenue)
Be operational for no more than five years
Be operational in Sub-Saharan Africa
Address issues in Fintech for Financial Inclusion or Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
To win a grant award, participants must be willing to travel to San Francisco (with costs covered by FINCA) to present in front of a panel of judges and attend the awards ceremony and reception.
There is no cost to participate in the competition. For applicants invited to pitch at the events in San Francisco.
Applicants must create an account and answer all the questions posed in this application form available at https://fincaventures.awardsplatform.com/. Submissions must be complete before the application deadline on April 10, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by June 2026.
The entries will be judged according to the following criteria:
Strength of Entrepreneur & Team
Innovativeness of Solution
Social & Environmental Impact
Market Traction and Financial Sustainability
Strategy for Growth
BENEFIT:
In each category, finalists will receive grant awards of up to $100,000 (depending on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place).
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