Funding Opportunities for Businesses: IS3 Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Waste 2022
Funding Opportunities for African Businesses
- IS3 Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Waste 2022 (€15,000 Prize)
Chemistry innovators and entrepreneurs in developing countries building solutions on waste prevention, waste valorisation and waste management are called to submit their proposals in order to participate in the ISC3 Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Waste.
The programme aims to award and promote sustainable chemistry innovators and their original solutions based on the conviction that the transformation of the chemical sector plays an important role in achieving most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The topic of focus is waste management related to renewable energy supply (e.g. recycling/recyclability of batteries, wind power, plant blades, PV materials etc).
Five finalists will have access to customised support from the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, pitch training, networking opportunities and visibility through the ISC communication channels. The overall winner will be awarded €15,000 while winners of the “Best Social Impact” and “Best Regional Impact” categories will receive €5,000 each.
Also, all winners will receive digital award credentials as well as blockchain based certificates and badges.
To apply, visit https://pro.evalato.com/4023. Deadline for application is 19th of April, 2022.
2. The MCI Entereprenurial School Ban Ki-Moon 2022 Scholarship on SDGs
Prospective Master’s and Exclusive Master’s students who have been engaged and committed to SDGs and aim to further promote these goals are called to apply for the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) Entereprenurial School Ban Ki-Moon 2022 scholarship, which is applicable for the first year of their respective Master’s programme.
The scholarship of up to €10,000 to cover part of the current annual tuition fee may be extended to the second year of the Master’s program.
Applicable programs in Msc level are the following: Biotechnology; Corporate Governance & Finance (online); Entrepreneurship & Tourism; Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering (full-time); European Health Economics and Management; International Health & Social Management; Management & Smart Technologies (full-time) and Medical Technologies.
The applicable Executive Master’s programs are Digital Business MBA, Executive MBA, Digital Economy and Leadership Msc (online), Digital Marketing & Analytics Msc (online), Management & Leadership Msc.
For more information, visit https://www.mci.edu/en/continuing/scholarships-grants. Deadline for Application is March 31, 2022
3. AWS Robotics Startup Accelerator Programme 2022 for Robotic Startups Worldwide
Robitic hardware and software startups seeking to use Amazon Web Services (AWS) in solving major challenges in robotics are called to participate in the AWS Robotics Accelerator Startup programme which intends to provide technical, business and mentorship opportunity to select cohort of robotic startups. MassRobotics, a non-profit innovative and startup hub cluster which focuses on the needs of the robotics and AI community will deliver the programme. Benefits of participation are the following: tailored robotic solutions; learning to innovate like Amazon; hands-on technical learning; business mentoring; promotion on AWS channels; and connection with industry experts.
For more information, visit https://awsroboticsstartupaccelerator.splashthat.com
4. The Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator Programme for Pandemic Resilience
Africa-based Healthcare start-ups or established companies with ideas that are strengthening the continent’s pandemic resilience are invited to participate in the Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator Programme organized by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also Boston Consulting Group (BSG)
AUDA-NEPAD will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the chosen applicants to design and deliver a customized, six-month accelerator roadmap in 2022 to support the companies’ growth needs across three areas: constant specific advisory, investment readiness support and matching to strategic partners.
Criteria for eligibility are the following: being a growth or mature stage company, currently strengthening Africa’s health system and being described as a home grown solution
To apply, visit https://forms.gle/2HTNf7pxHjr3zeMg6. Deadline for application is January 10, 2022
5. Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) 2022 for Young Entrepreneurs
Africa-based aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 years and above with business ideas or early stage companies are called to apply for Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) 2022.
The initiative is a 10-year, $100,000,000 commitment to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 enterpreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.
For eligibility, interested businesses must not adversely affect the environment, lives and property; businesses/ideas must be for profit; and must be the original work of those making the submission.
The stages of the programme are the application phase; training and mentorship phase; pitching phase and the seed capital phase ( initial seed capital funding is fixed at $5,000).
To apply, visit https://tefconnect.net
6. iF Social Impact Prize 2022 for Young Changemakers
Companies, design studios, NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, public and other organisations with projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals are invited to apply for iF Social Impact Prize.
Every year the programme donates €100,000 to support the best projects submitted. Other benefits include permission to publish projects on iF Design website; updating projects with new photos, videos and information anytime; and also exposure of projects to global design community, media and the design interested community.
To apply, visit https://myif.ifdesign.com
Also Read: Funding Opportunities for Businesses: The Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator Programme
7. Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award for Innovative Nigerian Start-ups
Innovative start-ups that add value to Nigeria economically are invited to participate in the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) which seeks to support business ideas that create a positive societal impact while generating a financial return.
The following are the criteria for eligibility:
Nigerian citizenship; age must fall within 18-30 years bracket, submitted application which must be original; possession of customers; ability to to fund his/her/team travel expenses and other associated costs if required; availability for the 2-day pitch workshop & final pitch event scheduled for March & April, 2022; understanding of the business of ARM and what it stands for; and
readiness to become an ARM ambassador
The winner of DAAYTA 2022, subject to terms and conditions, will receive funding of N12, 000,000 for a period of 1 year for the following purposes:
1. Contribution to working capital
2. Participation in an entrepreneurial education programme at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria
3. 5-month acceleration support services for the development of their venture by TechnoVision’s TVC Labs
To apply, visit https://vc4a.com/technovision/deji-alli-young-talent-award-2022/application/. Deadline for application is December 27, 2022
8. African Union Civic Tech Fund
Africa-based innovative civic tech companies with initiatives to solve problems in areas such as participation in public space & public discourse; electoral cycles and elections; rule of law & orderly transfers of power between governments; democratic culture and political pluralism; responsive, transparent and accountable governance; peace and security (where it impacts democratic governance); and human, economic and sustainable development (where it impacts democratic governance) are invited to apply for African Union Civic Tech Fund which has been created to accelerate innovative civic tech initiatives that have the potential to lead to citizen-led transformative action across the African continent
The following are the requirements for eligibility:
The organisation must be located in a member state of the African Union; the organisation must be a legal entity; the organisation must be able to sign a service contract agreement (as opposed to a grant contract agreement); the organisation must not be bankrupt or being wound up of having its affairs administered by the courts; the organisation must not have received an adverse audit opinion, either by its own auditors or donors’ auditors; the organisation must have policies in place and/or practices in place to guarantee the ethical management of personal identifiable information; and the organisation must not have been the subject of a judgment of fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity
Each qualified applicant will receive funds in the range of €10, 000-20,000 to cover costs such as staff costs and expert fees; travel and subsistent costs; purchase costs for equipment and/or software applications; costs of consumables; and costs of service & supply contracts.
Other benefits are technical support; thematic support; marketing, communication and showcasing support; and peer-peer learning & networking
Visit https://civictechfund.africa/auctf/ for more information
9. Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge
New businesses leveraging technology to develop solutions to social and environmental problems all around the world are invited to participate in the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge. The programme aims to give recognition and cash prizes to high potential global problem solvers.
$250,000 will be awarded to the grand prize winner while $75,000 and $50,000 will be given to the teams that emerge the first runners-up and second runners-up respectively.
Also, $100,000 grand prize will be given to the winner of the Climate Impact & Regeneration category. The four teams constituting the second-runners up will receive $50,000. A single team winner of the HBCU Start-up PrizeA will receive $50,000. Interested participants should register via https://gps2022.skild.com/skild2/gps2022/loginPage.action?__hstc=26211170.fd17bad52e9a90e0ecfb258cb43acb71.1638463861585.1638463861585.1638463861585.1&__hssc=26211170.3.1638463861585&__hsfp=2814977855 and prepare their submission by filling a questionnaire which consists of the following topics: definition of problem to be solved; overview of solution; uniqueness of the solution and how to gain traction; risks associated with the solution; and a 90- second pitch video to explain the solution. Deadline for application is February 11, 2022
10. The Boabab Network Technology Accelerator Programme
Africa based early-stage start-ups leveraging technology to solve problems around them are called to apply for participation in the Boabab Network Technology Accelerator Programme for a chance to win $25,000 in funding and also two years of tailored support including a dedicated support partner in exchange for 10% equity.
The process includes a week of world-class consulting, two years of hands-on venture support and lifetime access to Boabab’s network.
To apply, visit https://thebaobabnetwork.com/apply
Also Read: Funding Opportunities for Businesses: Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge
11. GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Environmental startups, SMEs and social enterprises leveraging mobile technology to deliver climate resilience and adaptation solutions are invited to apply for the GSMA Innovation Fund which will help them accelerate the testing, adaptation and scalability of their digital innovations that will aid the world’s most vulnerable populations to adapt, anticipate and absorb the negative effects of climate.
Applications are welcome from Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Eastern Europe.
Successful projects will get an equity-free grant between £100,000 and £250,000 to scale their innovations over a 15 to 18 month period. Grantees will also: learn exchange opportunities to with other grantees and GSMA networks; build relationships with mobile operators and public sector organisations; and profile opportunities through the GSMA publications, social media and the industry leading MWC (Mobile World Congress) events.
For more information visit, https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-climate-resilience-and-adaptation/
12. The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation
African students and recent graduates willing to solve pressing issues and bring entrepreneurial ideas to life are called to apply for Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship to benefit quality in-class training; global visibility and network; mentorship; and financial support.
The programme timeline includes: the EXPLORE PHASE (December to February 2022), the IGNITE PHASE ( February to April 2022), and the JIM LEECH MASTER CARD FOUNDATION ON ENTERPRENEURSHIP ( May to Aug 2022).
Participants will graduate in August 2022. After the programme, fellows will keep receiving post-incubation services , support, and pitch competition opportunities.
To apply, visit https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a9Rt3D6OFjFb3sG
13. MiT Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge
Young African Innovators at age 24 or less are called to participate in MiT Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge aimed at supporting, encouraging and improving them to be problem-solvers in their communities and the world. Focus will be on tech-based solutions that: improve learning opportunities and outcomes for learners across their lifetimes from early childhood; support financial and economic opportunities for all; accelerate care access and health outcomes; reducing and, ultimately eliminating, disparities in health; take action to combat climate change and its impacts; and address an unmet social, environmental and economic need not covered in the aforementioned.
10 Innovators will be selected and £200,000 will be shared amongst them. They will also receive mentorship and coaching from members of the MiT and MiT Solve Community. For more information, visit https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/solv-ed-youth-innovation-challenge# Deadline for application is January 18, 2022
Also Read: Funding Opportunities for Businesses: GSMA Innovation Fund for Digital and Urban Services
14. Anzisha Prize Fellowship Programme for Young African Entrepreneurs
Young African entrepreneurs (in any field) within the age bracket 15-22years with businesses located within Africa are called to apply for participation in The Anzisha Prize Fellowship Programme.
The initiative is a 3-year programme that supports and champions entrepreneurs. In the course of the programme, businesses that are exceptional in terms of growth will be granted benefits and services such as short courses, cloud services and stipends. After the second year, entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses and achievements for a chance to win a value of up to $140,000.
The four categories of the grand prizes are the following: Job creation prize, storytelling prize, integrating systems and processes prize. At the end of the 3-year programme, the fellows will graduate and join the Anzisha Prize alumni network. To apply, visit https://ala.submittable.com/submit/206822/2022-anzisha-prize-applications
