Anzisha Prize 2016 for Africa’s Top Young Entrepreneurs ($USD75,000 Prize & More)

Application Deadline Extended: 30th April 2016

Are you one of Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs? Do you know someone who may be?

The 2016 Anzisha Prize application window is officially open!  The prize is open to any African national under the age of 22 with an active project, social venture or for-profit business based on the continent. The judging criteria for the prize has been refined for 2016 to better represent the entrepreneurial talent that the Anzisha Prize wants to uncover and support.

Hosted by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, the Anzisha Prize celebrates initiative and innovation. Now in its fifth year, the Prize has grown into one of the most sought after awards for young entrepreneurs on the continent.

‘Anzisha’ means ‘initiate’ in Swahili, and that is what the Prize is about. Africa’s solutions lies within its youth, and the Anzisha Prize is looking for young leaders between the ages of 15 and 22 who are using entrepreneurship to solve problems in their communities and inspire change.

Eligibility Requirements

1. You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before April 16, 1994 or after April 16, 2001 will not be considered.
2. You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Fellowship Worth:

Value of the Fellowship- Additional investment of $8 000/ $10 000 in each fellow

1. Monetary Reward of a shared amount of $75 000
2. $2000 access to a world- renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum and training with the potential for further investment based on engagement and performance
3. $2 500 worth of rewards from consulting and mentorship services
4. $2000 worth of rewards from Global speaking events or Experts in Residence support
5. $1000 worth of rewards from Regional Indabas across the continent
6. $500 worth of equipment

Each fellow also gains access to the African Leadership Academy network.

Selection Criteria:

• Relevance: Has the young entrepreneur identified a clear business opportunity or social need in Africa?
• Effectiveness: Does the venture created by the young entrepreneur effectively respond to this relevant need or opportunity?
• Jobs Impact: Has the venture created any jobs to date and does it have the potential to create more jobs with support from Anzisha?
• 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?
• Leadership Potential: Does the young entrepreneur have clearly demonstrated leadership potential and an ability to inspire others? Can this potential be accelerated by being part of the African Leadership Academy community?

Timeline:

Semi-finalists will be chosen on a rolling admissions basis, so get your application in early! If you have a very strong application, we could be visiting you very soon!

• 15 March 2016: Early Bird applications reviewed.
• 15 April 2016: Application Deadline.
• July/ August 2016: Semi-finalist due diligence visits and and final selection.
• September 2016: Anzisha Prize Finalists  for 2016 announced.
• November 2016: Anzisha Prize Week & Awards Ceremony.

Apply Now for the Anzisha Prize 2016

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2016 Anzisha Prize