- ITU Digital World SME Virtual Awards 2020
SMEs, start-ups and entrepreneurs with Innovative tech solutions in any of these areas: connectivity, smart cities/smart living, E-health and Digital finance can apply for ITU Digital World 2020 SME Virtual Awards organized to reward excellence in the creation of innovative tech solutions. For eligibility, start-up/SME must be registered in its country, have less than 250 employees and also have a yearly revenue of less than $53ms. Qualified applicants will get an invitation to participate in an online masterclasses series in November 2020 where they will pitch to clients, get funding opportunities and develop their capacity. Winners will be recognized by the UN and get an executive pass to join ITU’s Digital World 2021 in Ha Noi, Vietnam and the last quarter of 2021 to take part in the full SME programme on site and in person. You can access and fill the application form through https://digital-world.itu.int/itu-digital-world-2020-sme-virtual-awards/itu-digital-world-virtual-awards-2020-application-form/. For more information please visit, https://digital-world.itu.int/itu-digital-world-2020-sme-virtual-awards/. Deadline for application is October 5
2. Lacuna Fund: Open Request for Proposals (RFPs). Datasets for Language in Sub-Saharan Africa
For-profit/non-profit organizations, research institutions and individuals are invited to submit proposals regarding Datasets for Language in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the fund is to support the creation, expansion and maintenance of equitably labelled open datasets which will enable the robust and more equitable application of machine learning tools of high social value in low-and-middle income contexts globally
For eligibility:
The organization must be headquartered in Africa and/or have a potential partnership with organization headquartered in Africa
The organization team must have qualified experts in machine learning, data management and data licensing.
The project they are proposing must have a transformational impact.
If the dataset has a geographical scope, the team should be predominantly located in the respective area and/or should sustain close ties with the local actors to ensure sustained maintenance and usage of the dataset in the local community…
To apply, click https://meridian.smapply.org/prog/lacunafund_language/
3. The African Development Bank’s Youth Agripreneur Agripitch Competition 2020
Youth-led agribusinesses with well-defined ideas on agri-digitization and nutrition are invited to participate in the African Development Bank’s Youth Agripreneur Agripitch Competition 2020. The aim is to boost entrepreneurship and innovative skills related to agriculture in youths to create jobs, wealth, and improved livelihoods across Africa. There are 3 categories of agribusinesses to be given a chance to participate. The first are start-ups with clearly defined ideas while the second are matured start-ups with existing technology, product, and service etc with feasible need for funding and clear growth plan and strategy. Applying businesses should be partially (up to 51% stake) or totally owned by a woman. Shortlisted businesses will receive grant between $10,000 and $40,000. For more information, visit https://asokoinsight.com/deals/platforms/afdb-ayaf-agripreneur
4. Mastercard SME Masterclass Webinar-Nigeria
SMEs in Nigeria should register to participate in the first Mastercard SME Masterclass Webinar hosted by business professionals such as Bukola Williams, Steve Harris and Wonuola Okoye. Participants will get insights on capacity building, management, and business advancement. To register, visit
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5SNHH5-6Rk2cz7LTFny1kA
Also Read: Funding Opportunities for Businesses
5. Space-Tech Challenge 2020
Innovators, entrepreneurs, and start-ups are invited to participate in this year’s Space-Tech Challenge. The aim is to identify and develop start-ups venturing in airborne remote sensing, focusing on downstream Space-Tech applications across agriculture, insurance and retail, sustainability, and conservation.
Participants will be granted the opportunity to showcase to a global audience at an intergovernmental earth observation conference; industry links and market access through ZASpace and partners; screening for Investment by Anza Capital, business development support through the Research Institute for Innovation & Sustainability. They will also have the avenue to pitch to judges and industry representatives during the final pitch den; they will be provided ortho-ready satellite imagery from Maxar’s archive. For more information, visit https://spacetech.africa/
6. Seven African tech start-ups receive $700,000 funding.
Seven out the start-ups that participated in the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Africa challenge are to receive $100 funding each. They will also join the MEST incubators in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
The selected start-ups are Heny (Ghana), Shopa(Ghana), Joovlin (Nigeria), KPI Lens (Ghana) , Eleka (Ghana), Boxconn (Ghana) and Tendo (Ghana). For more information, visit https://ventureburn.com/2020/09/seven-african-tech-startups-receive-funding/
7. Newly founded Nigeria auto-tech start-up Autochek acquires Cheki platforms
Nigeria’s Autochek, an automotive technology start-up has announced the acquisition marketplaces Cheki Nigeria and Cheki Ghana. ROAM Africa, Cheki’s parent company, has transferred ownership and operational control to Autochek, and all Cheki Nigeria/ Ghana outlets will now be rebranded as Autochek. The new platform will be launched at the end of year. Cheki Kenya is still owned and operated by ROAM Africa. Autochek is founded by former Cars45 chief executive officer (CEO) Etop Ikpe. For more information, please visit https://disrupt-africa.com/2020/09/newly-founded-nigeria-auto-tech-startup-autochek-acquires-cheki-platforms/
8. Airtel Africa partners MoneyGram to ease fund transfer
Airtel Africa Plc, a telecommunications and mobile money services provider, has announced a strategic partnership with MoneyGram, a global leader in cross-border Peer-to-Peer payments and money transfers. Through this partnership, 19 million Airtel Money customers across 12 countries can route any MoneyGram transfer received from around the world into their mobile wallets on their phone. For more information, visit https://nairametrics.com/2020/08/20/airtel-africa-partners-moneygram-to-ease-fund-transfer/
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