Financing

Visa Accelerator Program for Fintechs

Unlock your startup’s potential and fast-track your success in the dynamic world of fintech with the Visa Accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative connects Africa’s brightest minds with experienced mentors, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled investment opportunities.  Are you ready to disrupt the industry, revolutionize finance, and make an impact in the ecosystem? Join this exciting 3-months journey to propel your startup towards unprecedented growth and recognition. It’s time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and forge a path to success in the vibrant fintech landscape.  Benefits of the Visa Accelerator Program Application Requirements for the Visa Accelerator Program If your team has already designed a minimum viable product related to the proposed areas or has a market-ready solution, you are the right fit for the program. Opportunity Areas We are looking for the best and brightest companies to address the following themes. If you believe your company is building solutions in one or more of these areas, you are welcome to apply for the Visa Accelerator program. Click here for more information about the accelerator program. Apply here on or before August 25th, 2023.

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AYuTe Nigeria Challenge

Compete for a chance to win a share of $20,000 in the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge. The AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria is an enterprise development program initiated by Heifer International and implemented by Wennovation Hub to identify, nurture, and support innovative, relevant and technology-driven agric-centric enterprises to grow, scale and thrive. Candidates should be early-stage or growth-stage youth-led agritech businesses/companies with innovative solutions impacting smallholder farmers at scale. Eligibility Criteria for the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge The company must have: Application deadline: 31st July, 2023, by 5pm WAT. For more information about the application process, click here. Apply for the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge here.

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CcHub Uni:nnovators Startups-in-Residence Program

Co-Creation Hub in partnership with GIZ Make-IT in Africa rolls out the Uni:nnovators Startups-in-Residence program to support 30 student-led innovations in Nigeria, Namibia, and Kenya in an effort to strengthen and accelerate the participation of academic institutions in the emerging innovation ecosystem across Africa. The selected startup teams will benefit from capacity-building sessions to improve on their research-based innovations and build prototypes focused on Greentech and smart city solutions in specific sectors – Agriculture, Energy, Circular Economy, Water, and Healthcare. Eighteen of these student-led teams who emerge after the pitch demonstration will participate in a knowledge exchange with leading researchers in their fields and get the opportunity to travel to Germany for physical sessions to help to strengthen their prototypes. They will then receive funding and advisory services towards building and deploying their MVPs in the marketplace and in partnership with the industry where applicable. The program will culminate in a two-day summit in Nairobi, Kenya where startups will pitch to an international audience of investors and stakeholders as we try to showcase the critical role that Higher Education Institutions play in the broader innovation ecosystem on the continent.   Co-Creation Hub will work with six Higher Education institutions in the three chosen countries. The institutions are the: Eligibility Criteria for the Uni:nnovators Startups-in-Residence Program Calendar of Activities for the Uni:nnovators Startups-in-Residence Program For more information on the application process, click here. Apply here: https://bit.ly/UninnovatorsApply  Deadline: 4th of August (2023)  Click the link to register for the information session on how to apply for this opportunity. The info session will be held on the 21st of July (2023).

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Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Season 5

Launched in 2019, the Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program hosts the 5th season of the program and seeks to provide mini-MBA certification to 120 women entrepreneurs in Nigeria as well as grants worth over N17Million Naira to WSMEs. Participants of the Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Season 5 will benefit from an exclusive and certified Mini-MBA and grant prizes. The programme is designed for a 3-month period comprising 8 weeks of mini-MBA training in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and pitching sessions to a Pan-African Jury panel where the top finalists will pitch their businesses, infusing learnings from the mini-MBA and will stand an opportunity to win financial grants and other consolation prizes Eligibility Criteria Screening Process All online applications will be reviewed and screened by independent business experts for all five hundred (500) candidates who will be required to send in a sixty-second video pitch for the opportunity to be selected as part of the final top 120 candidates. For more information on the application process, click here. Click here to apply on or before August 11, 2023.

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How to Take on Debt for Your Business

Taking on debt for your business can be a strategic move if you’re looking to fund your growth, invest in new opportunities, or manage cash flow fluctuations. However, it’s important to approach debt with caution and develop a well-thought-out plan. Here are some key considerations on how to take on debt for your business. Remember, taking on debt for your business should be a strategic decision based on careful consideration of your financial needs and goals. By conducting thorough research, creating a solid business plan, and selecting the right debt option for your business, you can use debt as a tool to fuel growth and achieve your objectives. However, always approach debt responsibly and ensure you have the means to repay it in a timely manner.

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How to Apply for a Loan in Nigeria

Getting a loan in Nigeria can be a daunting task, but with proper preparation, it can become a smooth and successful process. Whether you are seeking a personal loan or a business loan, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of approval and secure the best terms possible. Firstly, it is crucial to gather all the necessary documentation. Lenders typically require proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns, as well as bank statements and identification documents. By having these documents readily available, you will save time during the application process and demonstrate your preparedness to the lender. Next, evaluate your credit score. A good credit score is essential for obtaining favorable loan terms. Obtain a copy of your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus and review it carefully for any errors or discrepancies. If you notice any inaccuracies, contact the bureau immediately to rectify them before submitting your loan application. Furthermore, it is important to assess your financial situation thoroughly. Calculate your monthly income and expenses to determine how much you can afford to borrow comfortably. This will help you avoid taking on more debt than you can handle and ensure that you choose an appropriate loan amount. In addition, consider improving your creditworthiness before applying for a loan in Nigeria. Paying off outstanding debts and reducing high credit card balances will positively impact your credit score and increase your chances of approval. Moreover, establishing a solid payment history by making timely payments on all existing loans will also enhance your credibility in the eyes of lenders. Lastly, research different lenders and their offerings extensively before making a decision. Compare interest rates, repayment terms, fees, and customer reviews to find the most suitable option for your needs. It is advisable to approach multiple lenders simultaneously so that you have alternatives if one lender rejects your application. In conclusion, preparing an application for loan requires careful planning and organization. By gathering all necessary documentation, evaluating your credit score, assessing your financial situation, improving your creditworthiness, and researching lenders thoroughly, you can increase your chances of getting a loan with favorable terms. Remember that proper preparation is key to a successful loan application. If you’d like more insights on navigating your entrepreneurial journey, you can download the FREE Entrepreneurship Roadmap here: forms.sendpulse.com/8664cc6c3d Enjoy your learning journey!

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GEC+ Africa Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions 

The GEC+ Africa 2024 entrepreneurship regional pitching competitions aim to bring in startups and SMMEs from across the continent to showcase their businesses. This will be an opportunity to highlight Africa’s innovative startups / SMMEs and a platform to strengthen each country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Applications are open to: Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a bootcamp which will be in preparation ahead of the pitching competitions taking place in their respective countries. The final pitch of the GEC+ Africa 2024 Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions will have an audience consisting of investors and Entrepreneur Support Organisations from all over the continent. The top 3 winners will share a prize of $50 000 and will have an opportunity to join an accelerator programme post the congress. Assessment Criteria for GEC+ Africa 2024 Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions Applicants whose pitch decks are deemed suitable will be invited to pitch to judges during the lead up activity. The below criteria will serve as a broad guideline in assessing the applicants when they present their businesses to the adjudicators: 1. The Problem Statement: has the entrepreneur(s) clearly identified the problem they are looking to solve and who this problem affects? Is the problem big enough i.e., does it point to a sizeable growing target market? 2. Value Proposition: Is the proposed solution distinct from the current solutions in the market? Does it have a clear competitive advantage? 3.The Business Case: Is the business model viable in how it intends to make money alongside its value proposition? Is this business model sustainable? Does the business have a clear strategy? 4. Team Composition: Is the team skilled and capable enough of executing on the product/service delivery and its business model? 5. The Minimum Viable Product: How effectively does the MVP showcase the value proposition? Does the MVP provide a robust foundation for further development and scaling? 6. Overall Quality of the Pitch: Was a pitch deck submitted? Was the entrepreneur prepared in their presentation and in answering questions? For more information, click here. Click here to apply.

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2023 Kickstart Program (N3 Million Grant)

The 2023 Kickstart Program is powered by the International Breweries Foundation, The International Breweries Foundation is an arm of International Breweries Plc, (a proud part of the AB InBev Group) with the objective of delivering impactful, developmental, and sustainable projects. Kickstart is an initiative of the Foundation and focuses on enterprise growth and development for young entrepreneurs. The programme supports youth-owned businesses through the provision of training, access to capital (grants) of up to N3 million and mentoring. In Nigeria, the program started in 2016 and has run three editions in the South West and South East region. With effect from 2019, Kickstart has become a national intervention in Nigeria, now open to youths in the six geo-political zones of the country. How to apply for the 2023 Kickstart program To be considered for shortlisting, applicants are required to meet the following requirements: Deadline for application submission is Monday, July 24th, 2023. Find more information about the program here. Click here to apply.

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Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2023

The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2023 will give cash awards of up $10,000 to entrepreneurs and innovators with the best ideas, and a FREE digital incubator program will be available to all eligible applicants worldwide! Social Shifters are next generation leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs with fresh solutions to today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. The challenge is looking for creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter most to you and your community. Ideas at any stage and from anywhere in the world will be accepted. Benefits of the Challenge To enter the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge, your idea must contribute towards at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. You can submit your idea into one (or more) SDG categories, plus one of its special challenge awards! More information about the challenge can be read here. Click here to apply.

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Ecobank Fintech Challenge (Win $50,000)

The Ecobank Fintech Challenge identifies and partners Fintechs that are ready to scale and provides them with support and access to opportunities in Ecobank’s 35 African markets. The goal? To contribute to their growth as potential Pan African Fintech success stories. The challenge is open to all Fintechs on the African continent. Interested Fintechs can apply by sending details of their product as well as a demo here. These products must address one or more of a specific set of pain points which are: The selected finalists will participate in the Ecobank Fintech Challenge Grand Finale. The ultimate winner for 2023 will be awarded a cash prize of $50,000. All finalists are inducted into the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship, which affords them the opportunity to explore deals, integration and commercial partnership with the Ecobank Group. Benefits and Opportunities Further information about the challenge can be found here. Apply here on or before 21st July 2023.

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