Calling all women-owned Engineering businesses to join our Africa Innovation Fellowship Program!
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At the heart of transforming the African continent is developing women entrepreneurs. Are you a passionate, African, female innovator with a groundbreaking idea in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Mining (STEM)? Are you meeting a development need in your country? Are you ready to turn your vision into a thriving startup that can change the world? If so, you are invited to apply for our Africa Innovation Fellowship Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2019, the Africa Innovation Fellowship (AIF), in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, has been developing women-owned STEM innovations across sub-Saharan Africa. AIF 2023 is an eight-month leadership and business development opportunity for African women innovators with an early-stage engineering innovation or start-up looking to grow, scale, and prepare to be investor-ready. Several AIF alumni have gone on to successfully apply for the Royal Academy of Engineering\u2019s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AIF kicks off in October 2023 with a virtual masterclass series focused on idea and business incubation, leadership development, funding, and pitch readiness, ending in May 2024. The program is designed to provide founders with a fully funded in-person entrepreneurship boot camp, expert engineering council, venture clinic, mentorship, and financial coaching needed to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Program Highlights \u2013 Why you should apply<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -Mentorship: Access to a network of experienced mentors and industry experts. Eligibility Criteria:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b- Applicants must have a registered new or innovative STEM-based business idea or startup based in sub-Saharan Africa.
\u2013 Workshops and Training: Comprehensive training in business development, including; market access, product strategy, external factors, and commercial models.
\u2013 Co-working Space: Access to a dedicated workspace equipped with essential resources.
\u2013 Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and potential collaborators.
\u2013 Pitch Opportunities: Present your startup to potential investors and partners.
\u2013 Exposure: Showcase your innovation to a global audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Applicants should have developed, and be in the early stages of commercializing, an engineering innovation that will bring social and\/or environmental benefits to a country\/countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
\u2013 Individual applicants must be citizens of a country within sub-Saharan Africa*. For teams of two or more, the main applicant must be a citizen of a country within Sub-Saharan Africa.
\u2013 No alumni \u2013 or co-founders of alumni \u2013 on the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation will be eligible for the AIF program.
\u2013 Strong commitment to pursuing entrepreneurship.
\u2013 Applicants must be able to commit to the eight-month-long program commencing in October 2023 to May 2024.
\u2013 Applicants must have a valid passport and be available to travel between October 2023 to May 2024.
\u2013 Demonstrated passion and knowledge in their chosen STEM field.
\u2013 Willingness to actively participate in the program.
\u2013 Applicants must identify as women.
\u2013 Applicants must be over the age of 18. There is no upper age limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n