ELIGIBILITY:

The Milken-Motsepe Prize is seeking companies that meet the following eligibility requirements: 

Over 2 years of continuous operation 

Over $500k in revenue and raised capital 

Institutional, corporate, and/or public‑sector partnerships 

Solution currently deployed on the African continent 

Clear evidence of social impact and job creation 

Demonstrated operational readiness to deploy $1M+ in funding

The winning team will demonstrate a commercially viable, technology-enabled circular economy business operating in Africa with a clear path to scale. The business will reduce waste, keep materials in circulation, and deliver measurable environmental and social impact through stronger, more resource-efficient value chains. Teams will be evaluated based on commercial viability, market scalability, workforce and social impact, and circularity and environmental impact. 

Teams from a variety of businesses are encouraged to apply, and teams will be required to submit category-specific metrics from industries such as the following:  

Agriculture & Food Systems

Plastics & Packaging

Electronics

Textiles

Construction & The Built Environment

BENEFIT:
The prize offers $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize.

Award Rounds:

Application Submission & Semifinalist Announcement: Teams submit their designs and business models. Ten teams will advance in the prize as semifinalists and receive $50,000.

Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement: Semifinalists will pitch their innovations to industry leaders and decision-makers. A panel of judges will select five teams to advance as Finalists and receive $50,000 each.

Grand Prize Submission & Announcement: Finalist companies will submit materials for the grand prize submission (sign into the Prize Portal to view the full rules). The winning team will receive $1 million, and the runner-up will receive $250,000.