Applications are now open for the 2023 Africa's Business Heroes Award competition. Now in its fifth year, the competition offers a unique opportunity for African entrepreneurs to highlight their talent and make a greater impact on the community through their businesses.
The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Awards Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has launched its fifth annual edition and is now calling for entries from Africa's entrepreneurial talent.
ABH is part of the Jack Ma Foundation's long-term commitment to help support and promote an inclusive and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. Every year since 2019, ABH has conducted a continent-wide search with its partners for 10 exceptional, mission-orientated entrepreneurs who are striving to make a difference in their local communities. Over a period of 10 years, ABH will recognise a total of 100 African entrepreneurs.
The ABH Prize competition is pan-African, inclusive, sector-agnostic and grassroots-orientated. Entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, across all sectors, genders and age groups and all levels of society, are encouraged to submit their applications, in English or French, for a chance to become one of 10 finalists to compete for a share of US $ 1.5 million in grant money.
At the Grand Final, to be held later this year, the 10 finalists will take to the stage to present their businesses to a panel of legendary entrepreneurs. The journey to the final will also include access to a community of international business leaders and innovators, industry experts, investors and accelerators, as well as multidisciplinary bootcamps and training sessions to help the participating entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
In addition to grant opportunities, mentoring and networking, ABH creates a television programme each year that follows the previous year's finalists on their exciting journey to the Grand Final, featuring their pitches on stage as well as behind-the-scenes moments. The ABH Show aims to provide a masterclass in entrepreneurship, as audiences can see first-hand how Africa's leading entrepreneurs have refined their final arguments and faced challenging questions from the judges.
To date, more than 72,000 entrepreneurs across the continent have taken part in the ABH Awards Competition.
Entries are open online until 12 May 2023, with the top 50 candidates announced in July, the semi-finalists announced in August and the top 10 finalists revealed in September.
To register and for more information about ABH 2023, visit: https://apo-opa.info/41MUCo0
