Best start-ups selected at the boot camp and pitching event will benefit from one of the packages below, provided by CTA, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Suguba(regional):

a) Early stage grant package (offered by CTA and AfDB)

Up to four winners of the first category (early-stage platforms) will be granted benefits including:

• A grant ( up to Euros 7,500 Euros), to further develop the platform and the services offered;
• A package of publications (business, agriculture and ICT books); the grant will be disbursed in two to three instalments, at different operational stages as agreed with the start-up;
• Attendance of at least two regional or international capacity building or networking events, selected after consultation with CTA or partners involved;
• Possible face-to-face or online acceleration/incubation programme or mentorship.
• Facilitation of access to investments and networking with business and ecosystem partners;

Up to two winners in this category will be women-owned businesses.

b) Advanced platform grant package (offered by CTA and AfDB)

Up to four winners of the second category (advanced platform) will be granted benefits including:

• A grant ( up to Euros 15,000 Euros), to develop services offered; the grant will be disbursed in three instalments, at different operational stages as agreed with the start-up;
• A package of publications (business, agriculture and ICT books)
• Attendance of at least two regional or international capacity building or networking events, selected after consultation with CTA or partners involved;
• Possible face-to-face or online acceleration/incubation programme or mentorship.
• Facilitation of access to investments and networking with business and ecosystem partners;

Up to two winners in this category will be women-owned businesses.

c) Special Suguba Africa Prize

CTA’s partner Suguba will give a special prize of 2,500 euros to a start-up based in a francophone country. Priority may be given to a woman-owned business. This prize could be offered in addition to the early stage or advanced stage grant package.

In total, up to 9 start-ups will benefit from grants. In case the quality of platforms in a category does not make it relevant to select enough winners in the category, additional winner(s) may be selected in another category.

Other opportunities facilitated by CTA may be gained by other best participants (depending on the quality of their services), including those who may not benefit from grants.

Application process

• Start-ups will provide details on problems addressed, the technical solution proposed, key metrics, customer segments targeted, unique value proposition compared with the competition, cost structure, revenue streams and other business strategy inputs.
• They will also demonstrate that they are incorporated or that they will close the process a month before the final.

Key Dates

• Deadline for registration: 21 May 2018
• Announcement of finalist start-ups: by 15 July 2018
• Boot camp and pitching events (final): 03 to 07 September 2018 at AGRF 2018.