Contests

Application Deadline: August 20, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 ReSAKSS Data Challenge. AKADEMIYA2063 is launching the fifth edition of the ReSAKSS Data Challenge! This competition allows enthusiastic data users to showcase their creativity and analytical skills by using data and other resources on the ReSAKSS website and related digital platforms to develop innovative knowledge products or projects that address Africa’s development challenges.

The Annual ReSAKSS challenge is an Africa-wide – diaspora included – four (4)-category challenge encouraging participants to use their imagination to generate innovative knowledge, tools, and content. Prizes will be awarded to the best entries in the following categories:

Category 1 – Essays and Reports: The most innovative research paper, article, essay, or journal article bringing solutions to African issues.

Category 2 – Visual Arts: The most innovative infographic, illustration, video

Category 3 – IT products and services: The most innovative applications and tools

Category 4 – High School Projects: The most innovative high school project

Requirements

• The ReSAKSS DATA challenge is an opportunity for researchers and analysts to experiment, discover new tools, and create a community of practice that will work data in the most innovative way.
• It will enable other groups of actors, whether in business, the media, or arts, to create content in their own liner of occupation. It allows civil society organizations to develop content for advocacy. More generally, diverse communities with different backgrounds can come together use data to generate knowledge, discuss and exchange on their common interest for data.
• Targeted participants include but are not limited to researchers, analysts, and students in all disciplines, artists, media specialists, coders, developers, high school teams, anyone in Africa and from the diaspora who is passionate about data and willing to create an innovative content, product or service relevant to social and economic development issues facing African countries.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the ReSAKSS Data Challenge

Application Deadline: October 7th, 2024

AgroHack Challenge is seeking innovative ideas across the agriculture industry’s value chain. These ideas will be accelerated to create new opportunities for many young Nigerians. The key objective of the AgroHack Challenge is to harness innovative solutions that will enhance rapid growth in the agriculture food sector and increase output and profitability for farmers, create new jobs and increase food security in Nigeria.

Eligibility

• Must be a female led Agric enterprise
• Must be between 18 – 35 age
• Must have a team (minimum of 2 )
• Have an innovative or scalable business idea or model in the agricultural sector (ranging anywhere from farm to fork)
• Transform a community, a nation, a region, or have a global impact
• Have a minimum viable product
• Have a business model with a clear customer segment

Benefits

• Participants also stand a chance to win up to one million naira
• Accelerator programme
• 5 days Enterprise boot camp
• Intense mentorship from a pool of international mentors
• Business support services
• Access to investors
• Access potential clients
• New market opportunities

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AgroHack Challenge

Application Deadline: Varying

Applications are now open for the 4th KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition. The Global Tech Innovator competition is helping to accelerate that journey by putting founders and their technology innovations and tech-enabled solutions in the global spotlight. All with the support, guidance and expertise of an extensive network of business professionals during — and after — the competition.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the startup phase to the next stage in the growth of their businesses. They have developed innovative, proven technologies, established robust business models, demonstrated traction and have the potential to scale up globally.

To be eligible for the competition, you must:

• Be a registered company in the country/region where the country/region final is being held
• Have been actively operating for 5 years or less (in the current form)
• Generate revenue between US $1 million and $15 million; or have raised at least US $500,000 in equity
• Be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled, tech-driven or tech-led business
• Not be majority owned by a large corporate
• Be able to conduct all pitches in English
• Be available to pitch at a country/region semi-final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin (if applicable)
• Available to pitch virtually at a country/region final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin
• If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global final in November 2024. 

Requirements

• Tech innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to take their innovations and their businesses to new heights.
• Tech innovations and tech-enabled solutions that have the potential to transform entire industries — or even the world.
• If you’ve developed a brilliant tech innovation that’s making a difference — and you’re ready to grow your business — this may be the most important next step you can take to introduce your business and your tech to an audience of key influencers.
  

Benefits

National and Global Exposure

Raise awareness of your innovation and your business by showcasing it on a prestigious platform to a national and global audience of industry experts, investors, potential partners and customers. Increase your company’s local profile through business and social media posts that reach tech and business influencers in your country.

Validation and Recognition

Enhance your credibility in the tech industry and potential investors, partners and customers by gaining recognition and validation for your innovation as a finalist (and potential winner) in country and global pitch competitions.

Networking opportunities

The competition is a hub for networking, fostering collaborations, and gaining insights from seasoned professionals. Connect with fellow tech innovators and join a global peer-to-peer network to share ideas and build important connections in a growing community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs.

Mentorship and Guidance

Access the experience of KPMG mentors and advisers who provide valuable guidance, expertise, and mentorship to refine your innovation and navigate the challenges of scaling up your tech.

Media and Publicity

Gain media coverage and publicity at the regional and global level to boost your innovation’s visibility and market presence and attract potential users, customers and future sources of funding.

Learning and Growth

From the initial application to the regional and global pitch presentations, the competition can be a significant learning experience. Feedback from judges and interactions with other participants can help refine your innovation and presentation skills.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator Competition

Application Deadline: 14 June 2024, 11:59 pm (CEST) 

In Niger, communities face significant challenges of food insecurity and vulnerability due to climatic risks like droughts, floods and rising temperatures, coupled with environmental degradation and water scarcity. Heightened insecurity and the spillage of conflicts from neighboring countries into Niger exacerbate these issues, leading to forced displacements. A total of 3.3 million people are acutely food insecure.

To address these challenges, WFP Niger in collaboration with the WFP Innovation Accelerator is launching a call for applications for innovative solutions supporting the Energy for Food Security programme. This initiative aims to identify and scale cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions for cooking and agricultural practices across crisis-affected and stable regions of Niger.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator and WFP Niger will provide comprehensive support to selected teams, facilitating the development and scaling of promising solutions. Our focus is on nurturing innovations that are not only novel but also sustainable and scalable, capable of bringing long-term change within challenging environments.​​

Requirements

• WFP Niger is looking for both low- and high-tech solutions specifically tailored to strengthen local food systems through the provision of clean cooking and productive uses of energy.
• WFP Niger aims to identify and support innovations from around the world that can effectively address these challenges and are operational or able to be implemented in Niger.

Eligibility criteria

• Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, not-for-profit, social business, NGO, INGO).
• Your organization should have an existing operational presence or willingness to establish a presence in Niger, through a subsidiary, in-country office, distributors or partnerships in the country.
• Your innovation must address one or more of the priority innovation areas listed.
• Your innovation must be at least at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage. Proof-of-concept and initial traction are preferred.​​
• Your innovation should have a plan to implement in Niger within a six-month timeframe with the available funding and a clear pathway to scale.

Benefits

Each selected team:

• will have the opportunity to take part in the WFP sprint programme, a six-month acceleration programme combined with piloting, business training and mentoring;
• will receive up to US$250,000 conditional funding* towards project implementation. The specific amount will be determined based on the maturity stage of the solution and the three thematic areas listed below.
• will receive ongoing operational support from WFP Niger during piloting;
• may qualify for further support and fundraising opportunities in the future.

*Please note that the final shortlisted teams will be required to go through the WFP vendor registration and procurement process before funding disbursement.

How to apply

• To submit your application, please fill in the Application Form by 14 June 2024, 11:59 pm (CEST).
• We will review and select successful applications in June and July 2024. While we value all applications, please note that we are only able to contact shortlisted applicants. 
• For more information, please refer to the Call for Applications, Solution Specifications and Frequently Asked Questions.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the WFP Niger Innovation Challenge