Call For Applications: FINCA Ventures Prize Competition 2025 for African Entrepreneurs (Over $100,000 Grant Prize)
The FINCA Ventures Prize Competition supports rising African entrepreneurs who are leveraging innovative technologies and designing disruptive business models to drive impact and innovation. Hosted by FINCA Ventures, the Prize Competition is a “shark tank” style event that brings together early-stage companies and visionary leaders, donors and investors who are passionate about entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs compete for the opportunity to be awarded grant funding of up to $100,000 to further develop their social enterprises.
Are you an African entrepreneur working to disrupt the market with a bold idea that could help end poverty in our lifetime? FINCA Ventures is hosting the second annual Prize Competition to fund early-stage companies with visionary leaders looking to drive impact and innovation in climate-smart agriculture and fintech in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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This year’s competition will be held in San Francisco, California. It will focus on Africa-based social enterprises working in the climate-smart agriculture and fintech sectors. September 15: Finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Held at the Center for Social Innovation, Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Benefits
In each category, the grand prize winner will receive a grant award of $100,000. The second and third place finalists will receive grant awards of $60,000 and $40,000, respectively.
There is no cost to participate in the competition. For applicants invited to pitch at the events in San Francisco, FINCA will arrange for and cover the costs of travel.
Eligibility
- Companies must have at least one African founder, be for-profit, post-revenue, be revenue generating for five years or less, be operational in sub-Saharan Africa, and address issues in financial inclusion or agriculture as described above.
- To win a grant award, participants must be able to travel to San Francisco (with costs covered by FINCA) to present in front of a panel of judges and attend the awards ceremony and reception.
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Criteria
The entries will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Strength of Entrepreneur & Team
- Innovativeness of Solution
- Social & Environmental Impact
- Market Traction and Financial Sustainability
- Strategy for Growth
Deadline: April 30, 2025