Tag Archives: Rwanda

awards, business funding, Events, Opportunities, other events

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY AFRICA BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAM

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Application Deadline: May 20, 2026

LOCATION: Rwanda

The Business Incubation Program is a 12-month opportunity focused on helping tech founders in Africa to succeed with their entrepreneurial ventures. Startups entering the Business Incubation Program have a proof-of-concept prototype for their product and a preliminary market assessment. The goal is for startups to leave the program with a revenue-generating product that is positioned to successfully compete for additional investment they will need to scale.

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible startups must be less than two years old and meet the following at the time of application:

Be building a scalable, tech-enabled solution addressing a clearly defined market opportunity across Africa

Have a proof-of-concept prototype with early validation and a clear path to profitability, scalability, and inclusive impact

Demonstrate strong market understanding and a credible business model

Be led by at least two committed co-founders able to dedicate full-time effort to the venture and program

Be a registered company. 

They will not consider applications from startups with the following criteria: 

Marketplaces (E-commerce, middleman platforms)

Late-stage startups, which have raised significant capital and earn consistent revenue

Startups without potential to generate jobs

Non-tech enabled startups

Startups without functional prototypes

Startups that have been through more than two similar programs in the past 12 months

BENEFIT:

$50,000 USD in seed funding from CMU-Africa

12 months of targeted advisory support from experienced practitioners across product, growth, compliance, and investment to drive revenue, scale, and investor readiness.

$5,000 in AWS credits and $1,500 in Amazon technical support

Introductions to angel investors, VCs firms, and partners in Africa and Pittsburgh

Opportunity to connect CMU-Africa’s partner ecosystem across Africa

Connection to global entrepreneurship networks, including startups and industry partners at CMU’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh

APPLY
business funding, competition, Events, Opportunities, other events

AFRICA’S BUSINESS HEROES PRIZE COMPETITION (1.5 MILLION USD IN GRANT FUNDING)

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Application Deadline: April 28, 2026.

LOCATION: Rwanda

The Prize Competition is an annual initiative aimed at supporting and empowering entrepreneurs across Africa. Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are driving impact in their communities, tackling pressing challenges, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

ELIGIBILITY:

As an inclusive initiative, ABH welcomes applications from entrepreneurs:

Across all African countries, sectors, and age groups

With businesses that are formally registered, headquartered in Africa, and have a track record of at least three years.

In English and French

To be eligible for the ABH competition, you must meet the following criteria:

Founder or Co-founder—You must be the founder or co-founder of the business.

African Identity—You must be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.

Business Presence in Africa—Your company must be registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in an African country.

Proven Market Traction—Your business must have at least three years of revenue and demonstrated market traction.

It is free to apply! You can create a free profile and begin your application here.

You can apply as many times as you like, but your business must show continuous growth and improvement each time you reapply. Just make sure that you are eligible based on the criteria each year. 

The Requirements of the Application:

Complete and submit ALL mandatory questions in the online ABH application.

Record and upload a video introduction of yourself that is a maximum of 1 minute 30 seconds.

Nominate a reference who can provide details on your character, leadership, and achievements.

BENEFIT:

Learn about yourself & business

Receive invaluable feedback

Develop skills to tell your story

Join an entrepreneurship ecosystem

Access exclusive mentorship and training

Gain global recognition & exposure

Pitch to business legends and win your share of USD $1.5 million:

1st Prize Winner$300,000
2nd Prize Winner$250,000
3rd Prize Winner$150,000
Other Top 10 Finalists (7)$100,000
Training Opportunities$100,000
APPLY