Apply for the Anzisha Prize Award For Innovate Business Ventures

The Anzisha Prize seeks to award young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to social challenges or started successful businesses within their communities. 15 finalists from across Africa win a spot in a lifelong fellowship what will help to accelerate their path to entrepreneurship success.

Eligibility :

  • You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before April 16, 1994 or after April 16, 2001 will not be considered.
  • You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries.
  • Your business must be up and running. The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! You have time to get started now and have tangible results to share before applications open.
  • Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply.
  • Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started a business together). One person can apply for the Prize, on behalf of the team.
  To be selected as one of our Anzisha ventures, your business or project will be judged on the following 5 criteria:
  • Already Running Venture: Is the venture established with customers and beneficiaries? Does the venture deliver value to said beneficiaries and customers?
  • Founder-led: Is the venture led and managed by the founder?
  • Impact: Has the venture demonstrated some impact already?
  • Scalability: If the venture is a for-profit business, does it already earn revenues and does it have potential increase revenues with the support of Anzisha? If the venture is a not-for-profit enterprise, does it already reach beneficiaries and does it have the potential to reach many more beneficiaries with support from Anzisha?
  • Job Creation: Has the venture created some jobs and has the potential to create more high quality jobs?
 To be selected as one of our Anzisha Fellows, you must demonstrate the two following qualities:
  • Venture leader: Are you the leader of your venture and do you drive both venture strategy and operations?
  • Commitment: Do you spend at least 20 hours a week or more on your business and will you continue to do so after selection?

Value of the Fellowship – Additional investment of $8,000/ $10,000 in each Fellow

  1. Monetary Reward of a shared amount of $100,000
  2. $2,000 access to a world- renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum and training with the potential for further investment based on engagement and performance
  3. $2,500 worth of rewards from consulting and mentorship services
  4. $2,000 worth of rewards from Global speaking events or Experts in Residence support
  5. $1,000 worth of rewards from Regional Indabas across Africa
Click here to download the application guide
Click here to apply for the Anzisha Prize in English
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Call for Applications,the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) 2018

The Challenge

Africa leads the world in the number of women starting businesses, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Many experts, including the World Economic Forum and the World Bank, believe that the 21st century is Africa’s century and that its economic future is dependent on the success of women entrepreneurs.

However, these same experts and the Center for Global Enterprise agree that women entrepreneurs in Africa face barriers that threaten to stifle innovation and slow the growth needed to propel their businesses and local economies. These challenges include:

  • Unequal access to business education, management training
  • Lack of high-quality, affordable, and online learning options
  • Social norms and familial responsibilities
  • Lack of networking opportunities and peer groups
  • Unequal access to financial management training and capital

Changing Lives Through Skills Training, Mentorship, and Peer Networks

CGE developed the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) in response to those challenges and to feedback from African alumni of its online learning courses who requested more in-depth training on critical management topics, longer program engagement and mentorship, and a sustained peer network.

AWEC one-of-a-kind, 12-month training program that builds a pan-African community of women entrepreneurs and business owners, empowering them with strategy, leadership and business management skills needed for growth and economic advancement. Additional details about the core program are available on our Program page.

 

Who Should Apply

AWEC is designed for women from across Africa and its diaspora who run startup or growth stage companies in any industry. Those who are interested in increasing their business management skills and growing their networks are encouraged to apply for the inaugural program year.

Aspiring entrepreneurs with business experience, an idea for a venture, and a passion for entrepreneurship are also eligible for the program.

The application period opens on 31 January 2018 and the program begins on 3 April 2018.

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