Early-stage startups to win $50,000 in Africa Business Conference New Venture Competition

Entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s future, this is your chance to shine! The prestigious Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference invites applications for the New Venture Competition, a platform dedicated to startups serving the African continent.

Themed “Africa Forward: Competing in a Global Era,” the New Venture Competition is a key component of the 26th Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference, set to take place on February 16–17, 2024.

The Competition will assess the potential viability and commercial merit of each proposal. A panel of seasoned judges will evaluate various aspects, including the uniqueness of the product/service, the strength of the entrepreneurial team, market opportunity, competitive edge, risk management strategies, and execution plans. 

Ventures will be scrutinized based on their ability to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in Africa’s dynamic business landscape.

Each one will then present their ideas to an audience of more than 1,000 people, with conference attendees as well as senior partners at VCs with an emphasis on Africa having the chance to provide comments, counsel, and ideas to NVC semi-finalists.

Benefits

Selected participants stand a chance to win a whopping $50,000 in prize money. But that’s not all – 

• Successful entrants will gain access to invaluable mentorship from Harvard Business School students and;
• The opportunity to network with investors keenly focused on the African continent

Eligibility

To be eligible for the competition: 

• Your startup must be in the early stages, whether for profit or not
• Your startup must be Africa-centric, with most or all of its activities taking place there
• You must have less than 50 workers
• Your startup should not be more than five years in operation
• You must have raised less than $1,000,000 than projected

How to apply

Entrepreneurs aspiring to make a mark can submit applications before the deadline on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. 

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