Now on its 7th year, Anzisha Prize is currently receiving applications from startups from across Africa. The competition seeks to identify and reward the most innovative and promising startups from across the continent.
The 2016 Anzisha Prize award went to 22-year-old Heritiana Fabien from Madagascar. Fabien’s innovation, the FIOMBONANA, is an agro-processing program geared at substituting imports with locally manufactured dairy products and confectioneries.
The announcement of the opening of applications to the competition was made by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) and The MasterCard Foundation. This year will see more contestants reach the finalists. The finalist numbers has been increased to 15 entrepreneurs aged between 15 and 22.
The finalist will get a fellowship package worth $7,500 coupled with ALA’s Youth Entrepreneur Support Unit (YES-U), which includes attending the Anzisha Accelerator boot camp. In addition to access to mentorship, consultation services, travel opportunities, business equipment and exposure to a wider network of season entrepreneurs and investors.
The finalists will be flown to South Africa where they will pitch their business, and the one that knocks the socks off the judges will walk home with $100,000. The winner will also get ongoing consultation services and given access to a global network of leaders.
“Finalists for the Prize win far more than access to a share of the pool of $100,000 in prize money,” said Grace Kalisha, Anzisha Prize Senior Programs Manager. “They also access a business incubation fellowship aimed at growing their business and supporting their professional development.”
If you are a youth aged between 15 and 22 years, with an innovative business idea. Then this is your chance to showcase to the rest of Africa and stand a chance to with the $100,000 cash prize reward and get access to a bigger network of seasoned entrepreneurs who could steward your venture to greater heights.