The second iteration of Y Combinator-backed fintech Grey’s “UpGreyed Her” initiative has begun, providing women entrepreneurs with $9,500 in equity-free scholarships. This represents a 19% increase in investment compared to the previous year. Grey’s UpGreyed Her financial inclusion program aims to empower female entrepreneurs by giving them the money they need to grow their companies….
The runway available to meet investor expectations, launch a funding round, or create a sustainable business is determined by a startup’s burn rate, which is its monthly operating expenses. Effectively controlling this rate is essential for long-term survival because excessive expenditure can quickly exhaust resources and impede growth. This is the opinion of Aysha Saifi,…
In order to promote greater access to capital and markets for women-owned and women-led small and medium-sized businesses (WSMEs) in Nigeria, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has teamed up with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited to open applications for its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator Program. By reducing…
An investment-readiness accelerator program called Greentech Africa 2025: The Future of Sustainability will help ten to fifteen startups with creative ideas for sustainable development in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa. The program’s goal is to assist startups in identifying early milestones and getting ready for their upcoming funding round or expansion plans, if…
The Open Call for the 2025 Batch of RAISEAfrica – Renewables Accelerators for Innovative Startups and Entrepreneurs in Africa has been launched, according to the RES4Africa Foundation. Supporting and growing renewable energy-focused companies within the African startup ecosystem is the main objective of RAISEAfrica. This entails supporting creative company concepts from aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs…
The Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in Agriculture Program provides access to affordable finance and business development services to young entrepreneurs operating SMEs in agriculture and adjacent sectors to foster financial inclusion and reduce inequalities. Eligibility To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in Agriculture, you must: Benefits The BRIDGE-in Agriculture program provides access to affordable finance and…
A fully sponsored chance to exhibit at the Nigeria Pavilion at GITEX Africa 2025 is being extended to 12 high-potential Nigerian entrepreneurs by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Global investors, industry executives, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs come together at GITEX Africa, the continent’s biggest…
For African women entrepreneurs, limited access to capital continues to be a major obstacle, with an estimated USD 49 billion in financing gaps. The African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program, which seeks to unlock up to USD 3 billion in financing for women-owned/led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (WSMEs) throughout…
In a bid to bolster women’s entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has kicked off the “IgniteHer” Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Abuja, a five-day intensive program designed to empower and uplift women entrepreneurs across the nation. Speaking during the launch of the programme,…
Leading digital workforce platform Zydii has partnered with talent accelerator Venture for Africa (VFA) to offer a hands-on, execution-focused Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy course designed for African companies by African professionals. The partnership creates a useful, highly effective learning experience for entrepreneurs aiming to grow by fusing Zydii’s proficiency in providing easily available digital learning with…
Connecting Founders Applications for early-stage startups in Kenya and Nigeria are being accepted by Pitch2Win. Special advantages and equity-free subsidies up to $2,500 are available. In addition to subsidies, Founders Connect gives businesses the exposure and business relationships they need to succeed. Another benefit is the funding. This year’s offerings include $2,500 in equity-free awards…
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in collaboration with Meta and Deloitte, have launched AKILI AI, an AI-Driven MSME Support Platform designed to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa. This innovative platform leverages Meta’s Llama Open Source model and other cutting-edge AI technologies to provide MSMEs with the tools they need to thrive…
The sixth iteration of the 12-month OceanHub Africa accelerator is now accepting applications. Over the course of two intakes, the accelerator will support up to 24 of Africa’s most promising impact for-profit enterprises that are dedicated to protecting and restoring the health of the ocean. OceanHub Africa seeks to assist and foster profit-driven, ecologically conscientious…
The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards honor and assist people and groups worldwide who are creating innovative and significant ideas to create a more equitable world and who are positively influencing movements for justice and citizen rights. It was created by CIVICUS in 2004. Since their establishment, the awards have helped to increase the impact…
Applications for the second cohort of the SIA Startup Foundry accelerator are being accepted from Nigerian startups. The SIA Startup Foundry, which is run by the SIA Foundation to assist Nigerian entrepreneurs, provides six creative companies with US$10,000 in grant financing following a rigorous training and demo pitch day. “This program offers not only financial…
Without carbon dioxide removal (CDR), Net Zero cannot be achieved. Africa may become a CDR powerhouse under the leadership of fearless entrepreneurs. Startups can realize this potential with the help of the ACRA program. Requirements Accelerator Details 6-month program Participate in the program run by CDR-focused professionals, such as the Net Zero Lab at the…
To support creative blockchain solutions in Africa, StarkWare, the development company behind the industry-leading Ethereum scaling solution Starknet, is establishing a US$4 million venture fund. Zero-knowledge proof technology is used by the blockchain technology startup StarkWare. With investors like Sequoia and Coatue Management supporting it, the company is valued at US$8 billion and most recently…
America’s Cultivation Corridor and the World Food Prize Foundation are pleased to introduce the Innovate for Impact Challenge, a ground-breaking program aimed at boosting agricultural technology (AgTech) innovation. In order to address the pressing issues of global food security and sustainability, this challenge aims to find and assist tech-driven, early-stage enterprises with game-changing ideas. The…
For the first-ever Africa Tech Summit Awards, which honor people and businesses influencing the continent’s technology industry, fifty-five candidates have been chosen. The inauguration of the Africa Tech Summit Awards, a new platform created to honor the most creative and influential tech solutions, businesses, and leaders around Africa, was covered by Disrupt Africa in November….
Applications are now open for the latest edition of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), which will provide entrepreneurs with training, mentoring, and US$5,000 in funding. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) runs the scheme, which is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, develop, mentor, and invest 10,000 African entrepreneurs. Applications for the latest edition…
By providing young African entrepreneurs with a platform to grow their enterprises and provide ground-breaking solutions for the continent’s energy transition, this innovative program seeks to promote innovation in the renewable energy industry. Reputable partners like Enel Green Power, European Investment Bank, EDP, EY Foundation, CSIR, and SAICA ED will help RAISEAfrica continue its aim…
Do you believe your business can provide patients with high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare services and goods closer to where they are? You could be a good fit for our next group. Read more about our selection criteria and application procedure. Eligibility With an emphasis on the distribution of health products in Africa, i3 aims to…
Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has invested in Nigeria’s Moniepoint, a platform for commercial payments and banking services. Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike founded Moniepoint, formerly known as TeamApt, in 2015. It is a comprehensive financial ecosystem that provides 10 million consumers and organizations with easy access to banking, credit, payments, and company…
People who lack access to technology and digital literacy are increasingly excluded from social and economic opportunities as society grows more digitally connected. Nonprofits promoting digital inclusion can increase their influence with the aid of the Digital Equity Accelerator. Serving 27 nonprofit groups in nine countries since 2022, the Digital Equity Accelerator has helped partner…
SMEDAN’s program is a timely answer to the issues that Nigerian small businesses confront, especially when it comes to market expansion, capacity building, and financing access. The organization seeks to empower entrepreneurs, enhance business practices, and establish a more conducive climate for MSMEs to flourish by providing customized programs and assistance. Access to financial services,…
The third iteration of the Grooming Endowment Trust’s (GET) annual GET Accelerated program has been successfully completed. GET is a non-profit organization that supports Nigeria’s business environment. This program gives early-stage businesses the tools they need to grow without giving up stock. GET has helped more than 50 entrepreneurs in sectors like education, healthcare, and…
The fourth iteration of Visa’s biennial Africa Fintech Accelerator, which gives businesses access to resources, industry connections, and mentorship to help them develop their creative solutions, is now accepting applications. Visa is a global payment card network. The Africa Fintech Accelerator, which was started in 2023 in accordance with Visa’s commitment to invest US$1 billion…
The 2024 cohort of the Africa SDGs Mentorship Program, a seven-month fellowship that aims to train young African professionals to empower them to become advocates for sustainable development in their nations, is proudly presented by AIIDEV Africa. In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, the program seeks to equip the next…
The Empowering Mary Ojulari FoundationA recently established nonprofit organization in Lagos, the Mary Ojulari Foundation aims to empower young Nigerian women by offering them financial assistance, coaching, and training to help them develop and expand their enterprises. The Vanguard Fellowship Program Early in 2025, the Vanguard Fellowship Program, the foundation’s flagship program, will get underway….
Similar to 2023, 2024 has been a difficult year for funding tech startups in Africa as the industry continues to be impacted by the worldwide capital crisis. Although capital is beginning to flow back into the ecosystem, success stories are what will entice additional domestic and foreign investors to begin backing the continent’s digital sector….