The 2026 Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing ($2 million in prizes) – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline: July thirty first, 2025

Applications at the moment are open for the 2025 Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing. This prize calls on established corporations in Africa revolutionizing manufacturing worth chains in rising markets by leveraging AI and different rising applied sciences. This prize provides $2 million in whole prizes, together with a $1 million Grand Prize. Participating corporations will even acquire entry to unique networking and the chance to pitch to trade leaders and key decision-makers. 

If your organization is utilizing AI and superior knowledge analytics to spice up effectivity, cut back waste, and ship scalable influence – that is your second. We’re in search of tech-powered options able to drive job creation, unlock business progress, and ignite breakthroughs throughout the globe.  

Requirements

The Milken-Motsepe Prize is searching for corporations:  

• 2+ years in operation 
• Series A+ in funding  
• Operating in Africa’s manufacturing sector 
• Advancing workforce and job progress 

Benefits

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing provides $2 million in prizes, together with a $1 million Grand Prize.

• Semi-Finalists: Ten (10) Semi-Finalists will obtain $50,000 every.
• Finalists: Five (5) Finalists will obtain $30,000 every.
• Final awards: One firm will obtain $1 million Grand Prize; One firm will obtain $250,000 Runner-Up Prize; and One firm will obtain $100,000 Most Advanced Use of 4IR Prize.

The following people or corporations are not eligible to take part:

• Any particular person or entity organized or with main residence in a rustic embargoed by the USA
• Any particular person or entity listed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, or different sanctions lists administered by any company or division of the United States authorities
• Any present or current worker or fast member of the family of an worker of the Milken Institute or the Motsepe Foundation

Award Rounds

Application Submission & Semi-Finalist Announcement

Teams submit their designs and enterprise fashions. An unbiased panel of skilled judges will choose 10 groups to advance in the competitors as semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist staff will then obtain $50,000.

Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement

Semi-Finalists will pitch their improvements to trade leaders and decision-makers. A panel of judges will choose 5 groups to advance as Finalists and obtain $30,000 every.

Grand Prize Submission & Announcement

Finalist corporations will submit supplies for the grand prize submission (as outlined in the foundations). The successful staff will obtain $1 million, the runner-up will obtain a $250,000 Runner-Up prize, and a staff will obtain $100,000 for the Most Advanced Use of 4IR.

The Grand Prize winner will likely be awarded and celebrated in May 2026. 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing