Funding Opportunities for African Businesses:
- LabEight Africa 2021 Programme
Socially conscious African entrepreneurs can participate in the LabEight* Africa’s LaunchPad Spring 2021 programme whose mission is to support them by providing the necessary operational and technical support as well as equipping them with the leadership and business skills needed to build socially conscious solutions. Services offered are business advisory, matchmaking, personalized mentorship and business development.
For more information, visit https://labeight.tech/labeight-africa/. Deadline for application is February 28, 2021
2. U.S-Africa Tech Challenge 2021 for Africans
Technologists from Africa are called to participate in the US – Africa Tech Challenge organized in the quest to provide solutions against disinformation and propaganda to an audience of government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders. Maximum of eight applicants will pitch their technology. Eventually, three organizations will be selected to receive funding of up to $250,000.
The programme is sponsored by the US State Department’s Global Engagement Center in conjunction with US Embassy Nairobi, the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Twitter, Park Advisors, and Informa.
Interested applicants should send email to africatechchallenge@disinfocloud.com for details on eligiblity and instructions on application. Deadline for application is 28th of February, 2021
3. iNOVO by UK-Nigeria Tech Hub
Early-stage start-ups in Nigeria that can provide solutions to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic can participate in the iNOVO by UK-Nigeria Tech Hub which is powered by Ventures Platform and Startupbootcamp AfriTech.
The areas of interest are education, agriculture and health.
The programme will be held online and will last for three months. Ten selected start-ups will receive mentorship, training, capacity building, scaling and access to investors.
To apply, visit https://vc4a.com/startupbootcamp-africa/inovo-uk-nigeria-tech-hub/application/. Deadline for application is 24th of February, 2021
4. Agropolis Foundation 2021 Olam Prize For Innovation in Food Security
Agribusinesses, academic or research institutions and civil societies from any region that have innovative ideas on any part of agricultural supply chain can participate in the Agropolis Foundation 2021 Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security. The programme brings together over 40 member institutions, public authorities and civil society actors for dialogue and interaction on agriculture, food and environment research. The winner goes home with $75,000 grant to scale the innovation. To apply visit https://agropolisfondation.optimytool.com/en/. Deadline for application is March 15, 2021
5. USADF-All On Nigeria Off-Grid Challenge
Nigerian entrepreneurs developing off-grid solutions or implementing technologies developed elsewhere to improve energy access in unserved and underserved areas throughout Nigeria can participate in Nigeria Off-Grid Challenge organized by USADF (United States African Development Foundation) and All On (an off-grid energy impact investing company seeded by Shell in Nigeria). All applicants must be legally registered in Nigeria and demonstrate the capacity to track and manage project resources. They must also be in good standing with the local governments in their areas of operation. There will be provision of up to $50,000 in the form of convertible debt and also a maximum of $50,000 in grant capital for each selected company. To apply, visit http://www.usadf.gov/off-grid or https://www.all-on.com/the-all-on-hub.html. Deadline for application is February 28, 2021
Also Read: Funding Opportunities For Businesses: U.S-Africa Tech Challenge 2021 for Africans
6. TEF Entrepreneurship Programme 2021 for African Entrepreneurs
New and young businesses in Africa can apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Programme (TEF 2021). This year’s programme will help the recovery of SMEs and young Africans entrepreneurs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefits of participating are world-class business training, non-refundable seed capital of up to $5,000, Global networking opportunities and mentorship. To apply, visit https://www.tefconnect.com/. Deadline for application is March 31, 2021
7. Africa Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) 2020 To 2021, Round 5
African agriculture strand of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme supports a partnership between:
UK registered higher education or further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult (which we will refer to as the ‘UK knowledge base partner’)
an African business or not-for-profit organisation (which we will refer to collectively as the ‘business partner’)
a knowledge base in Africa (which we will refer to as the ‘African knowledge base partner’)
The business partner and African knowledge base partner must both be based in the same one of the following countries: Republic of Ghana, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Kenya or Republic of South Africa.
Projects whose costs have been judged to be appropriate will be funded partially. Normally, cost of project should not exceed £125,000 per year.
The UK knowledge base, African knowledge base and the business partner must sign the KTP joint commitment statement.
To start an application, visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/application/create/start-application/774
For more information, visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/774/overview?utm_source=GCRF+Updates+List&utm_campaign=230a9af106-Newton_funding_bulletin_28_11_2017_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b4ac484f43-230a9af106-100995141#summary
8. OPTIMA’s Grant To Curb Internet Shutdown
Internews, an international media development organization, through its OPTIMA programme is calling for proposals from Africa-based individuals or organizations that can develop targeted, localized and issue specific resources to contribute to prevention and adequate response to internet shutdowns in Africa.
Projects must fall into one of the following four funding categories: Network Measurement; Legal Resources; Multistakeholder Engagement and Circumvention Tools, Guides, and Resources.
Available grants are between $1,000 and $5,000 USD. The grants will be reviewed by Internews, in conjunction with members of OPTIMA’s Advisory Committee. Projects may begin as early as January 1 and run through March 31, 2021. Execution of projects should not exceed three months although an extension of two months may be permitted. To apply, visit https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OTuh5Py1H0yoQMCrZqrq5UbCdRgXXxJCssxNuKSlq15UQjBYUjlPS1M0M1FQR0k5WTBGM1RTNFNNSC4u
