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Emerging Innovator Prize

The AIH Emerging Innovator Prize aims to identify and support the next generation of innovative problem solvers in Africa. It is a yearly seed funding grant focused on a specific theme every year. Winners of this prize would have demonstrated deep understanding of that year's challenge and developed a novel and practical solution.

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How it works

The Emerging Innovator Prize offers unique benefits for awardees.

  • Seed funding of 1000 euros for the prize winner.

  • The opportunity for all finalists to present their innovation and receive feedback from world class expert judges.

  • Access to business, career, and technical coaching from world leading mentors in Africa and beyond.

  • Tailored and regular support for one year.

Step One

Application

Scaling a high-potential innovation in Africa is not easy. Our selection process is designed to identify innovators who have a profound understanding of Africa's problems, as well as the skill, ambition and dedication to use their innovations to solve those problems quickly. If you think this describes you, apply now.

Step Two

Longlisting

AIH volunteers will select the most promising applications. Selection will be based on:

  • Novelty

  • Usefulness and the ability to scale

  • Inventiveness (non-obviousness)

  • Relevance for Africa 

Step Three

Shortlisting

Longlisted candidates will be invited to provide greater details about their innovation. Longlisted applications will then be re-evaluated based on the criteria above.

Step Four

Demo day

All shortlisted candidates will get the opportunity to showcase their innovation to our panel of judges. In addition to novelty, usefulness and inventiveness, the judges will also assess the passion, competences and ambition of the candidates. The judges will then decide and announce the awardee on the same day.

Step Five

Award

The awardee will receive 1000 euros seed funding shortly after the award and immediate access to support and mentorship.

Step six

AIH Community

We encourage Prize alumni to continue to collaborate with and support other alumni and shortlisted applicants. The value of African Innovation Hub network is that you will find highly talented Africans and friends of Africa to always support you.

Application for the 2024 prize will soon open

We want to know you have the potential for great success with the help of our resources

What are we looking for?

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We want to help promote local solutions to economic and social problems in Africa. We want to support the development of new products, processes or techniques that solve existing business, market, environmental, social or related challenges in Africa.

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Who can apply?

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Applicants must be enrolled at recognized tertiary educational institution in Africa. Applicants may be of any nationality, race, ethnicity or gender, but must be students on the African continent to qualify.

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Applicants must have developed an innovative solution to an economic or social challenge in Africa. 

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Innovative solutions should address the High 5 goals as proposed by the African Development Bank. In 2024 we are prioritizing innovations that draw on space technologies to address the following issues:

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  1. Light up and power Africa

  2. Feed Africa

  3. Industrialize Africa

  4. Integrate Africa

  5. Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa

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Application must be done in English (preferred) or French. Unfortunately we cannot process applications in other languages at this time.

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How to apply

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You will be asked to respond to specific questions about yourself and your innovation.

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Applications for the 2024 Prize are not yet open

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©2020 - 2023 by The African Innovation Hub.

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