Deadline: 5 May 2024
The Global Startup Awards is calling all African startups, innovators and ecosystem players who are engaged in cross-border collaboration and access global networks and funding opportunities.
The Global Startup Awards bring together high impact startups and investors from over 100 countries across the globe. The network offers participants the opportunity to meet prospective mentors, partners, clients, and gain access to the latest industry trends.
The competition process also brings together local ambassadors, country partners, national jury members, international jury members as well as key advisors to discover winners in all aspects of the startup ecosystem.
The African Startup Awards connects the best of African tech startups across the continent to a global network of leading investors and innovation ecosystems. The African Startup Awards will offer startups access to:
- New Markets
- Funding Opportunities
- A Global Network Of Leaders
- Exposure On A Global Stage
Categories
Startup of the Year
A startup that inspires the next generation of founders by positively impacting the economy and the world in general. It should have a product and/or service that is already a success on the market, disrupting its industry with an innovative approach.
Best Newcomer
A startup up to 2 years of age with the potential to become Startup of the Year in the future. Its product and/or service is already on the market on a path to disrupt its industry and positively impact the economy and the world.
Founder of the Year
A startup founder or co-founder who has shown strong leadership skills and achieved exceptional business results while also being an inspiration to their team and a role model for the next generation of founders.
Ecosystem Hero of the Year
An individual with a remarkable commitment to entrepreneurship and impactful contributions in nurturing startup growth and fostering collaboration. An individual who is a visionary spirit, actively shaping the entrepreneurial landscape by supportive and innovative initiatives.
Investor of the Year
An individual, an organization, or an entity that allocates capital with the expectation of generating a financial return while driving a positive impact on the Regional and Global levels.
Best Coworking Space
A co-working space that provides its services, support, and resources to fast-growth startups, and for creating a culture and an environment that fosters innovation and focuses on positively impacting the world.
Accelerator/Incubator Program
An Accelerator/Incubator Program that foster entrepreneurial ventures through fixed-term, cohort-based initiatives, etc. These programs provide essential tools, resources, mentorship, and expertise,
Greentech Startup of the Year
A startup that focuses on providing innovative solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and have a positive impact on energy efficiency and waste reduction. This could be implemented in industries such as energy, transportation, sustainable agriculture, logistics, or SCM, with a commitment to reducing carbon footprint and promoting overall environmental well-being.
Healthtech Startup of the Year
A startup that is strategically positioned to transform the healthcare sector through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, positively impacting lives.
Best Agritech
A startup that innovates solutions in food security, food production, farming methods and nutrition.
Best Mobility & Logistics
A startup that is enabling Africa’s industrialisation with innovative solutions for logistics, mobility and supply chain management.
Youth Startup of the Year
A startup with at least one founder under the age of 26 (On the day that public nominations open) with the potential to become Startup of the Year in the future. Its product and/or service should already be on the market and on a path to disrupt its industry and positively impact the economy and the world.
Women in Tech
- A successful role-model woman entrepreneur/founder and/or co-founder of a pioneering tech startup.
- A woman who not only leads with distinction but also empowers other women to step into leadership roles
Fintech Startup of the Year
For startups leveraging technology in areas like e-commerce, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, directly impacting payments, lending, insurance, investments, or data analytics. These startups introduce novel approaches and disruptive technologies, transforming traditional financial practices and earning recognition for reshaping the industry.
Eligibility Criteria for all categories
- The startup must be a maximum of 5 years in age – calculated from establishment date until public nominations open (with exception of the Best Newcomer category and the Best Venture Capitalist category).
- The startup must have been founded and must currently be located in the country participating in the competition.
- The startup must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and/or service in the market.
- The startup must be generating monthly recurring revenue.
- The startup must have a team of two or more people.
- The startup must be African-led, meaning that it must have at least one founder or co-founder on the team who is from Africa and resides on the continent.
- All applications must be submitted in English, and all decks/pitches must be in English too.
- No applicant may reach out to judges/jury members in advance of the competition process advocating for their startup. Anyone who does so will be disqualified. If you have any conflicts of interest, please reach out to the GSA Africa team prior to submitting your application.
- GSA Africa reserves the right to select and reject applicants at any time.
- The startup’s solution should align with the following UNSDGs:
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Startup of the Year
- The startup must showcase significant industry innovation, disrupting market norms for substantial change.
- Highlight positive economic and societal impact, including job creation and sustainability initiatives.
- Outline clear plans for scalability, growth strategies, target markets, and future milestones.
- Emphasize the founding team’s quality, diversity, and expertise in driving innovation.
- Demonstrate consistent and sustainable monthly recurring revenue for financial viability.
Best Newcomer
- All criteria of the Startup of The Year apply except for the age of the startup. The startup must be a maximum of 2 years of age (calculated from the establishment date until public nominations open).
Founder of the Year
- The individual must be a founder or co-founder of a startup with a maximum of 5 years in age (calculated from the establishment date until public nominations open).
Ecosystem Hero of the Year
- The Ecosystem Hero of The Year must be an individual who leads a specific organization and/or performs an activity with exceptional dedication and impact in fostering entrepreneurship, nurturing startup growth, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders within the entrepreneurial landscape.
- The individual must perform their activity in the country that they are participating in.
Investor of the Year
- The investor must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.
Best Coworking Space
- The co-working space must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.
Accelerator/Incubator Program
- The Accelerator/Incubator Program must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.
Greentech Startup of the Year
- The startup’s solution should disrupt norms, reduce energy consumption, promoting renewables, or optimizing processes for environmental benefit.
- The startup’s solution should have a positive environmental impact, such as carbon footprint reduction, energy savings, or waste minimization.
- The startup’s solution should align with at least one of the following UNSDGs:
- Goal 6: clean water and sanitization,
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities,
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure,
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production,
- Goal 13: Climate Action.
- Goal 14: Life Below Water or
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Healthtech Startup of the Year
- Clinical Efficiency Enhancement: Innovations improving clinical workflows and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.
- Patient-Centric Engagement: Solutions fostering active patient involvement and satisfaction in their healthcare journey.
- Revolutionary Medical Devices: Impactful, unique devices transforming patient care and treatment outcomes.
- Comprehensive Digital Health Solutions: Bridging gaps and improving access to quality care through digital innovations.
- AI-Driven Predictive Analytics: Personalized interventions for disease prevention and optimized treatments.
- Innovative Fitness & Wellness Solutions: Promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive care through novel approaches.
- The startup’s solution should align with at least SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, optionally also: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Best Agritech
- The startup must be agriculture and/or food and/or nutrition-focused and must be providing a solution in those markets.
- The startup’s solution should align with at least one of the following UNSDGs:
- Goal 6: clean water and sanitization,
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities,
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure,
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production,
- Goal 13: Climate Action.
- Goal 14: Life Below Water or
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- The startup’s solution should align with at least one of the following UNSDGs:
Best Mobility & Logistics
- The startup must be providing innovative solutions in the fields of logistics, mobility or supply chain management.
- The startup’s solution should align with:
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- The startup’s solution should align with:
Youth Startup of the Year
- All criteria of the Startup of The Year apply in addition to having at least one founder under the age of 26 (On the day that public nominations open).
Women in Tech
- The individual must have (co-)founded a tech startup.
- The applicant’s leadership strategy should align with SDG Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Fintech Startup of the Year
- Startup solution should match with at least one of the following:
- Financial Services Integration: by offering products or services that directly impact financial activities, such as payments, lending, insurance, investments, or data analytics.
- Technological Focus: The startup centers its operations around technology to innovate in e-commerce, mobile-commerce, blockchain, cryptocurrency, insurtech, or big data markets within the financial sector.
- And, the Startup must:
- Introduce novel approaches, business models, and technologies to improve or disrupt traditional financial practices within the market segments above.