Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition 2026 – YOA

Deadline: August 1, 2026

Applications are open for the Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition 2026. The New Venture Competition (NVC) is the flagship pitch competitors focused in direction of early-stage ventures on the Annual Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) to showcase and rejoice the following-era of founders constructing class-defining companies on the continent and past.

This yr’s theme (WABF33), “Built by Billions: Africa’s Future on Africa’s Terms” is an announcement on the contribution and company of each African, throughout the continent and its diaspora, and NVC sits on the coronary heart of this mission. Startups have the possibility to win funding (non-dilutive financing) and community with high founders and traders from the African continent. The Top 5 Finalists will pitch their startups to a panel of esteemed judges on the convention.

Prizes

• At WABF32, $30,000 in non-dilutive funding was awarded to the Top 3 Finalists.

Eligibility

Ventures that meet the next standards are welcome to apply: 

• Fewer than 50 full-time workers
• Less than $250,000 raised to this point
• Business will need to have a direct hyperlink to Africa (however may be headquartered exterior of Africa)

Application

Applications for the WABF33 New Venture Competition are open till August 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Late purposes is not going to be thought-about. There are not any exceptions.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition.