Agrifood entrepreneurship is the biggest opportunity in Africa today.
Before the global coronavirus pandemic, we liked to say agribusiness is a trillion-dollar opportunity. Now, everyone on the planet understands that agribusiness truly is a critical industry.
The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize aims to find Africa’s brightest young agrifood entrepreneurs. We are searching for agribusinesses that bring technology, innovation, and passion to the agriculture and food industries.
YOU could win one of two US$50,000 cash prizes that will help you change your world and transform the agri-food business in Africa.
We need strong agriculture and food businesses to get us through the pandemic and grow our communities and economies when it’s over. We want to support YOUR businesses to become profitable and scale, so you can lead the way.
The opportunity
Two entrepreneurs, one woman, and one man will each win 50,000 US Dollars for the most innovative and scalable business ventures. Ten finalists will benefit from a package of support to boost their business. 250 applicants will benefit from online training to strengthen their business plans.
Read also:Invasive Locusts Threaten Agriculture, Aviation in East Africa.
We want to hear from businesses that show
- originality and innovation
- market potential and traction
- social or environmental impact
- a viable and scalable business model
- and an inspiring and investible team
Eligibility criteria
The entrepreneur applying must:
- be aged 18-35 on the day of submission to the competition
- hold nationality (with official ID) from any of the 54 nations of the African Union
- be the founder/co-founder of the enterprise he or she represents in the competition and play an active role in its operations and leadership
- have no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony or other offense
- not be a previous GoGettaz finalist. (But if you made it to the semi finals previously you can compete again)
Their venture must:
- have its headquarters in one of the 54 countries of the African Union, and be officially registered by 1 August 2020
- be designed to be financially sustainable, either as a for-profit business or a market-based social venture
- generating revenue at least in part and aiming for non-donor-based sustainability
- play a role in the agri-food sector
Selection criteria
- Innovation: What problem does your business solve for its customers? What is its solution? How is this unique or innovative?
- Market: Who are your customers? Who are your competitors? What is the market potential? What is your go-to-market plan?
- Business Model: How does your business generate revenue? How does it or will it achieve profit? What is your plan for scaling up your business?
- Impact: How does your business have a positive social or environmental impact? How are you minimizing your negative impacts?
- Team: Who is in your leadership team? What experience and expertise do they bring to the business?
Read also: IFC To Support Selected Moroccan Startups To Scale Internationally Through The SolidariTECH Initiative
Timeline
- Applications open until Thursday, June 18, 2020.
- Expert reviewers will examine all applications, considering the above criteria.
- 24 semi-finalists will be notified via Facebook and email by 22 July 2020. Semi-finalists will each be interviewed and asked for further information.
- 10 finalists, five male, and five female will be selected and notified via Facebook, in person or by email, by 5 August 2020.
- Finalists will be invited to compete in the final live or virtual pitching contest at the Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) meeting between 8-11 September 2020. Depending on the coronavirus situation this will be part of a full week of activities that finalists will be expected to attend, from 8-11 September 2020. Should you not have a valid passport and plan to enter GoGettaz, please apply for one now.
- All 10 finalists will be awarded mentorship, programming linkages, and other guidance to continue their entrepreneurial journey
NOTE: All dates mentioned above could be subject to change as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
APPLY NOW
Generation Africa
The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize is part of the Generation Africa movement which seeks to inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs, connecting them to the resources they need to move their businesses successfully from idea to scale.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.