The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative

Partner Jack Ma foundation

ANPI is a $10M Grant that looks to support 100 entrepreneurs over 10 years from 2019 to 2029 with a total of $1M shared among 10 entrepreneurs every year through an annual finale pitch competition. Through the guidance of Nailab, the continent’s implementing partner, Jack Ma foundation successfully ran year one of ANPI

Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria), founder and CEO of LifeBank, was named in the first place, taking home US$250,000 in prize money. Second place went to Dr Omar Sakr (Egypt), founder and CEO of research platform Nawah-Scientific, who took home US$150,000, while third place went to Christelle Kwizera (Rwanda), founder of Water Access Rwanda, who secured US$100,000. The remaining finalists, each receiving US$65,000, were Mumm (Egypt), Thrive Agric (Nigeria), J-Palm (Liberia), UZURI K&Y (Rwanda), Black Swan (Nigeria), DrugStoc (Nigeria), and Afrikrea (Ivory Coast).

“ANPI is the best competition for African entrepreneurs on the continent right now. First the winnings are huge: there is a substantial cash award and much more valuable connections, exposure and mentorship. Besides winning, the application is well designed to help you think seriously about your customers and your employees and the role they play for your business. It is a highly valuable experience I would recommend for anyone. “

LEAP²

Close the Gap and Goodup

LEAP² is a challenge that enables innovations to jump the digital divide and LEAP to the next level. Innovators who go through this program are challenged to boost their innovations to the next level by raising funds through crowdfunding, those able to hit their 50% mark receive a match fund of up to Ksh. 200,000.

We have Run 3 successful leap challenges in Kenya, one in Nairobi and two in Mombasa

Fintech Challenge Ke Swahili Tech Women Challenge Light & circular economy

Nairobi: LEAP² Fintech Challenge Kenya

During the LEAP² Fintech Challenge, fintech entrepreneurs in Nairobi were challenged to give their innovations a boost through crowdfunding. Out of the 10 innovations that registered their innovations online for crowdfunding, 8 were able to hit the 50% mark and to complement their efforts they received a matching fund from Close the Gap. The innovations that got the matching fund are:

TozaPlus

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Mobile social enterprise ltd

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Marks Rate

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Nioji- A card you control

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BrilliantPay

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M-PAYA

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LONIWA

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Mlinzi

Mombasa: Swahili Tech Women Innovation Challenge

During the LEAP² Fintech Challenge, fintech entrepreneurs in Nairobi were challenged to give their innovations a boost through crowdfunding. Out of the 10 innovations that registered their innovations online for crowdfunding, 8 were able to hit the 50% mark and to complement their efforts they received a matching fund from Close the Gap. The innovations that got the matching fund are:

TechLense

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PsychBeing

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Pwani teknowgalz

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Okoa Jamii

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Abetec Hub Nioji- A card you control

“ TechLens was a prototype for 8 months before we joined LEAP² Swahili-tech: Women Innovation Challenge. We were able to raise funds amounting to Kshs. 412,350. This money has enabled us to be fully functional, we are now able to offer IT training at a subsidized fee of Kshs 1500 and buy new laptops. We are able to train more students. “

Mombasa: Innovative Light and circular economy challenge

The LEAP² Innovative Light & Circular Economy challenge had a keen interest in businesses focused on waste recycling and renewable energy. The challenge targeted businesses that are achieving tangible, social and environmental impact while still making profits. Out of the 10 innovations that went through crowdfunding 7 managed to hit the 50% mark and got a match fund. The innovations that got the matching fund are:

Ethahusk Energy

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Plastic Bottle bulbs

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Nywele Chapaa

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Smart bin electric generator

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Trash to cash

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Flexi-port

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Tena pads initiative

“ When I joined LEAP² Swahili-tech: Women Innovation Challenge, I only had an idea of developing an online platform for anonymous gender based violence reporting for women in the coastal region. Through the program I was able to raise 690,221. Now I have a platform called Okoa Jamii. “

The Next Economy program

Partner SOS Netherlands, SOS Kenya and Goodup

The Next Economy program focuses on upscaling businesses or upskilling young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, between the ages of 18-30, in readiness for the job market and or build sustainable and thriving businesses. We have run 4 successful cohorts equipping young people with corelife skills, employability, and entrepreneurship training.

Entrepreneurship Training

The program supports validated start-ups reach the next level. Within 3 months, entrepreneurs get in-depth business knowledge, practical exercises and one-on-one coaching to successfully scale-up their business. The program had 4726 applications in total. To date we have trained over 600 people in core life skills and 190 people in entrepreneurship.

“ TNE has transformed my future, I was a drug peddler and now am running my own legit business (Joe Bead and art). Thanks to the program I am now able to communicate effectively with my customers and I have gained the skills that will enable me to scale up my business. I have found my purpose.” Joe “

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“ TNE has exceeded my expectations, I have learnt so much, like how to present my business, I thought I already knew but I didn’t, I can now pitch for funds for my business and market my business effectively through social media. The program was life changing, I am a better entrepreneur. “

Employability Training

Employability is aimed at launching careers by transferring useful employability skills to increase the chances of finding sustainable employment.

I Accelerator

Partners UNFPA and Graca Machel Trust

The iaccelerator program accelerates young entrepreneurs in the health sector whose solutions are addressing sexual reproductive health challenges. Businesses accelerated:

Make IT Accelerator

Partner GIZ