Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East. Recognizing the pivotal role of technological innovation in driving progress, this prize emphasizes the importance of a sustainable business model that addresses present and future social and environmental needs. In addition to fostering innovation, Orange acknowledges and supports the entrepreneurial endeavours of dynamic startups through its Social Venture Prize. Since its inception in 2011, this prestigious international competition has welcomed startups from 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East, identifying and rewarding business ideas that make a positive impact on society and the environment. To promote sustainable, responsible, and inclusive development, the International Women’s Prize was introduced in 2020, specifically targeting business ventures led by women entrepreneurs.
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates must:
- Be at least 21 years old..
- Present a social entrepreneurship project leveraging New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT).
- The project must be based in at least one of the 17 countries listed below.
- For individual applicants: You must be 21 or older at the launch date of the competition.
- For legal entities: Your company must have been operational for less than 3 years at the launch date of the competition.
- The project must be implemented in one of Orange’s 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Morocco, the Central African Republic, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali and Tunisia.
Awards:
International Grand Prix:
- 1st prize: €25,000
- 2nd prize: €15,000
- 3rd prize: €10,000
Furthermore, the ten finalists of the OSVP International Grand Prix and the winner of the International Women’s Prize will receive 6 to 9 months of help for business development..
International Women’s Prize: Winner: €20,000
Program Details:
The program will unfold in two phases:
The initial phase will run from May 27 to August 30:
Each application will undergo assessment based on the rules of the national competitions, and up to three winners will be chosen in each country. Subsequently, the international phase will commence, where an evaluation committee comprising Orange employees will select 10 finalists from the national winners.
The second international phase will occur from September 2 to 26:
The finalists will be reviewed by a grand jury consisting of influential figures from the African tech industry, who will determine the three overall winners of the International Grand Prix.
By the end of October:
The same jury will also select the recipient of the International Women’s Prize.
For further details,
Application Deadline: May 26, 2024
