Tag Archives: entrepreneurship

SAIS FEMALE FOUNDER AWARD

Application Deadline:  February 29, 2024

LOCATION: France

 They are calling for exceptional female leaders in Africa with an innovative AgTech,  FoodTech or ClimateTech business to apply for the SAIS Female Founder Award  2024! The award recognizes visionaries who have achieved success in their fields, create social impact, and encourage other women to start or grow their own businesses.

ELIGIBILITY:

You are an African female who (co)founded and runs a start-up / growth stage business.

You should have technical experience in your area of operation.

You promote female visionary leadership, support other female leaders and contribute to women’s economic empowerment.

You are fostering a culture that values diversity.

Your work has a positive impact on solving an important problem in the industry.

You contribute to start-up ecosystem development.

Your start-up has a team of at least three people (including yourself as a founder) who work full time for the start-up.

Your product/service is digital or has a strong digital component.

Your product is offering an impactful solution in the AgTech, FoodTech or ClimateTech sectors in Africa.

Your business is registered and operates on the African continent.

Your business has an official certificate of registration.

Your company has been registered at least 2 years before submitting the application.

Your start-up Must have clear evidence of traction (customer base, revenue).

You have a unique value proposition in the market(s) where you operate.

Your start-up should have an understandable and convincing business model (clear problem statement and defined customer segment).

BENEFIT:

The award recognizes African female founders with unique businesses that have a strong digital component and embrace social impact. We honor, support and celebrate your ambition by offering unique opportunities for visibility and further development of your business.

The award ceremony for the SAIS Female Founder Award 2024 takes place at VivaTech in Paris on 22- 25 May 2024 in the form of a pitching competition. The three selected winners will be travelling to Paris to attend the event in person. Our prestigious jury will announce the winners’ rankings during an on-stage ceremony.

The three winners will win in-kind support worth up to 30,000€ for the first place, up to 15,000€ for the second place, and up to 7,000€ for the third place.

APPLY

VISA ACCELERATOR PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS

Application Deadline: 18 February, 2024

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

Unlock your startup’s potential and fast-track your success in the dynamic world of fintech with the Visa Accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative connects Africa’s brightest minds with experienced mentors, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled investment opportunities. 

Are you ready to disrupt the industry, revolutionize finance, and make an impact in the ecosystem? Join us on this exciting 3-months journey to propel your startup towards unprecedented growth and recognition. It’s time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and forge a path to success in the vibrant fintech landscape. 

ELIGIBILITY:

All Seed to Series A startups that are post MVP and operating in Africa are encouraged to apply for the program.

Building a solution addressing one of our themes

Market tested solution that has gained traction

Existing operations in Africa or demonstrated commitment to expand in Africa

BENEFIT:

Gain a competitive edge with a tailored program covering product design, marketing, finance, sales and more. Receive experts’ guidance and strategic insights to accelerate your startup’s growth and unlock its full potential.

Gain access to 1:1 mentoring from experts and founders in the ecosystem from Africa and beyond. Learn from the experience of others to solve your challenges.

Benefit from exclusive Fintech and payment training modules designed by Visa. Enhance your understanding of the fintech landscape, payment ecosystem, and industry best practices. Startups will also get the chance to access Visa’s developer portal and experiment with Visa products and services.

Secure the funding you need to bring your innovative ideas to life. Showcase your startup during the Demo Day and you could be considered for an investment opportunity by Visa, Plug and Play, and our wider Venture Capital community

Forge powerful partnerships that can drive your startup forward. The program aims to open doors to valuable collaboration opportunities with industry leaders, innovative companies, and strategic partners.

Gain access to a wide selection of product perks and discounts from over 100 vendors for a combined offer value of over $200,000 such as AWS with product credits, mentorship and fintech-specific training modules.

APPLY