The Africa Business Heroes Competition 2025 for Young African Entrepreneurs (1.5 Million USD in grant funding)

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Application Deadline: May twenty third, 2025.

Applications at the moment are open for the 2025 Africa Business Heroes Competition. Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to help entrepreneurs. ABHs’ mission is to showcase and develop native expertise who’re creating constructive impression in their communities and past, and encourage a motion of African entrepreneurship. Over a ten-year interval, this system will acknowledge 100 African entrepreneurs and supply grant funding, coaching packages, and broader help for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Each 12 months, ten excellent finalists are chosen to compete in the ABH Grand Finale pitch competitors, the place they showcase their companies for an opportunity to win a share of $1.5 million in grant funding. Beyond funding, these finalists obtain in depth publicity by way of high-quality video options, media protection, and influencer collaborations that highlight their entrepreneurial journeys and the impression they’re making.

Finalists additionally acquire lifetime entry to an unique neighborhood of like-minded entrepreneurs, traders, enterprise professionals, and mentors. Additionally, they profit from coaching packages, networking Opportunities, and ongoing help to assist scale their companies and drive even higher impression.

Eligibility Requiremens

• Founder or Co-founder – You should be the founder or co-founder of the enterprise.
• African Identity – You should be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.
• Business Presence in Africa – Your firm should be registered, headquartered, and primarily working in an African nation.
• Proven Market Traction – Your enterprise will need to have at the least three years of income and demonstrated market traction.

Benefits

Grant funds of as much as $300 000

The Top 10 finalists share a prize pool of $1.5 million in grants starting from $100,000 to $300,000. The winner takes home $300,000; The 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up take home $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. All different 7 finalists, take home $100,000. An further $100,000 is allotted for international immersion coaching.

Global Recognition and Exposure

ABH shines a highlight on distinctive African entrepreneurs by way of press releases, social media campaigns, and media protection at each stage of the competitors. The Top 10 finalists obtain in depth PR Opportunities, amplifying their model and enterprise.

Exclusive Entrepreneurial Community & Network

Finalists be part of an elite neighborhood of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, having access to networking occasions, collaboration Opportunities, and connections with enterprise leaders throughout the continent.

Mentorship from Business Icons

ABH finalists obtain one-on-one mentorship from international enterprise leaders, traders, and trade consultants, each throughout and after the competitors, serving to them refine their methods and scale their companies.

Targeted and Practical Training Programs

ABH offers tailor-made coaching in monetary administration, advertising and marketing, mental property (IP) regulation, funding readiness, and enterprise development methods. Finalists acquire entry to unique packages and accomplice providers to strengthen their enterprise acumen.

Valuable Business Insights & Feedback

The application course of itself is a studying journey, serving to entrepreneurs refine their storytelling and pitching. Participants obtain suggestions and steerage at every stage from skilled enterprise professionals and trade veterans.

Application Timeline:

Round 1: Application Review

Each application is independently assessed by three judges based mostly on our analysis standards. The Top 50 Finalists are chosen based mostly on the common scores.

Round 2: Video Call Interviews

Each Top 50 Finalist will take part in a 90-minute interview with three seasoned enterprise leaders for an in-depth evaluation. The Top 20 Finalists are decided based mostly on their common scores.

Due Diligence

A trusted third social gathering conducts due diligence on the Top 20 Finalists earlier than they advance to the Semi-Final spherical.

In-Person Semi-Finale

Shortlisted finalists pitch in individual to a distinguished panel of traders, enterprise leaders, and trade consultants, who will decide the Top 10 Finalists.

In-Person Grand Finale

The Top 10 Finalists will pitch in entrance of a stay viewers and a high-profile panel of judges for a share of $1.5 million in grant funding. The occasion will likely be broadcast on-line and featured on our social media platforms.

How to Apply

• Register an ABH account
• Confirm your eligibility
• Fill in the application (You might want to reply questions on your self, your imaginative and prescient, you enterprise mannequin and future plans)
• Get a reference
• Submit a video introduction of your self

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Africa Business Heroes Competition