The Anzisha Prize seeks to award young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to social challenges or started successful businesses within their communities.
The Anzisha prize is Africa’s biggest award for her youngest entrepreneurs aged 15 – 22 years, and hands out over USD $140,000 every year in business support and prize money to very young entrepreneurs from all the continent.
If you are a young African Entrepreneur trying to grow a small business or you’ve created something that provides you and your friends with an income, then we want your application.
Eligibility Criteria
As you prepare to apply, make sure you are eligible to enter:
You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before April 16, 1997 or after April 16, 2004 will not be considered.
You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries.
Your business must be up and running. The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! You have time to get started now and have tangible results to share before applications open.
Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply.
Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started a business together). One person can apply for the Prize, on behalf of the team.
Benefits
The Grand Prizes are split into 4 categories
The Job Creation Prize
Revenue Growth Prize
Storytelling Prize
Integrating Systems and Processes Prize
Anzisha prize:
Bi-annual cash stipends to eligible fellows throughout the fellowship.
Short term educational opportunities, internships and specialized technical expert consultations for eligible fellows in Year 2 and Year 3.
Job Creation Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has created the most job opportunities since joining the fellowship.
Revenue Growth Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 with the highest business revenue growth since joining the fellowship.
Storytelling Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has creatively communicated and distributed their entrepreneurship story through written, oral and visual storytelling since joining the fellowship.
Integration systems and processes Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has effectively used systems and processes learned in the program to advance their business model since joining the fellowship.
Process
To be selected as one of our 12 Anzisha Fellows, your business or project will be judged on the following 5 criteria:
Already Running Venture: Is the venture established with customers and beneficiaries? Does the venture deliver value to said beneficiaries and customers?
Founder-led: Is the venture led and managed by the founder?
Impact: Has the venture demonstrated some impact already?
Scalability: If the venture is a for-profit business, does it already earn revenues and does it have potential increase revenues with the support of Anzisha? If the venture is a not-for-profit enterprise, does it already reach beneficiaries and does it have the potential to reach many more beneficiaries with support from Anzisha?
Job Creation: Has the venture created some jobs and has the potential to create more high quality jobs?
To be selected as one of our Anzisha Fellows, you must demonstrate the two following qualities:
Venture leader: Are you the leader of your venture and do you drive both venture strategy and operations?
Commitment: Do you spend at least 20 hours a week or more on your business and will you continue to do so after selection?
Documents Required for Application
In order to complete your application you will need to have the following documents ready:
A copy of your ID (Identification Document)
Company registration documents (if your venture is registered)
Logos for your venture/project
Pictures of your project
A photo of yourself
Application procedure and deadline
Applications can be completed through the online portal. Application deadline is September 7, 2023.
