NEWS
Innovate Ventures Invites Applications to 2021 Women Business Accelerator-Somaliland
Innovate Ventures, the leading startup accelerator and tech fund in Somalia and Somaliland has open application for the 2021 Women Business Accelerator for women techpreneurs.
The 2021 Women Accelerator is a 4-week program that will select, offer essential business skills training and fund female-owned startups in Somaliland.
The tech startup accelerator was established in 2012 and it is the early-stage startup fund supporting ambitious startups who use technology to change the world in the country. Innovate Ventures has also run accelerators, coding camps and incubators in the Somali regions since its started operating.
The top 4 startups will receive funding of up to US $20,000 from Innovate Ventures. They primarily offer mentorship, investment, office space, training, networking and exposure for startups.
The Women Business Accelerator program reportedly has an alumni network of over 50 startups and having invested over US $150,000 in 18 most promising businesses, so far.
Who is eligible for 2021 Women Business Accelerator?
- Any female business owner or a woman with a business idea
- She must be between the ages of 18 and 35
- The female founded business should be based in Somaliland
- And by dictate, owners must be committed to attending the accelerator program in Hargesa
Innovate Ventures has invested over US$ 100,000 in the over 50 startup companies it has helped. They continue to ensure that they spot and back world class entrepreneurs in Somaliland and Somalia before they are known as the next big thing.
Their three month intensive flagship programme dubbed Innovate Accelerator Programme (IAP), has helped support great teams with scalable ideas to build world-class businesses.
Nasiye Services is one of such startups which is the largest company of it’s kind throughout the Somali regions. It was founded by young Somali entrepreneurs in 2018. The tech startup provides services from Booking Hotels, Renting Houses and Offices and more, online. In spite of the challenges, they have picked themselves up and found their way back once after a torrid period.
On the green ventures front, Plastic Venture, another startup with Innovate Ventures, recycles plastic bags and empty bottles and turn them into affordable bricks, and stone pavement for construction.
For more of the benefits and application process for the 2021 Women Business Accelerator program, continue here and apply. Deadline for submitting applications is the 31st of January, 2021.
Check out another women focused program for Africa entrepreneurs.
NEWS
Anzisha Prize: Nominate A Young Entrepreneur for A Share of US$100K
The Anzisha Prize team calls for nomination to the 2021 Top 20 Anzisha Prize Fellows. This invitation to nominate the top entrepreneurial talents from all African countries is for persons between the ages of 15 and 22 who will receive financial and networking support they need to succeed.
This is a competition not awarded for great ideas or business plans but rather, one to recognize young entrepreneurs who are operating for-profit and non-profit ventures which do well to demonstrate ingenuity, scalability and have a social impact.
The Anzisha Prize team says, your nomination is a vital endorsement that recognises their great works. Annually, 20 leading youth entrepreneurs are selected to become Anzisha Prize Fellows.
The Anzisha Prize so far is the biggest award for young African entrepreneurs between 15 and 22, and over US$100,000 each year is given in prize money to these young entrepreneurs from across the continent.
What are the criteria for the Azisha prize?
- Your nominee should be between the ages of 15 and 22
- Do they run a business venture which is already delivering value to customers?
- Is your nominee involved in the strategy and operations of the venture?
- Is the business already having a social impact?
- Is the business earning a revenue, or reaching beneficiaries with the potential to realize more growth (both ‘for-profit businesses’ or ‘not-for-profit’ ventures qualify).
Alaa Moatamed of Egypt won the 2020 Anzisha grand prize and also the first Egyptian female to do so. Her business is Presto, which is an automated delivery system that is connecting vendors with their customers and suppliers.
After nominating, so what?
Your nominees for the Prize still need to submit an application because your nomination is an endorsement, a recommendation letter on behalf of the candidate.
Candidates then submit an application that gives full information about their business, enabling them to be evaluated for participation in the fellowship.
The nominee receives an email letting them know that they have been nominated, and also a reminder to apply for the prize once applications are open.
Itching to help find the next top 20 Anzisha prize winners? NOMINATE HERE.
The Anzisha Prize is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Africa Leadership Academy
Have you recently launched your startup, raised funding or any news about your company or organization? Email your story to editor@thespiritedhub.com.
Pingback: Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize 2020. Win Up To CHF 250K