The Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship supports Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs who are driving change through business. The two-year program helps founders grow their ventures with funding, mentorship, and training. Successful participants stand a chance to win prizes worth $40,000 while building lasting business skills.
Anzisha is a venture building fellowship program that has successfully supported and championed very young entrepreneurs for over 15 years. The fellowship is a two-year program that celebrates and rewards business growth. During the course of the fellowship, the program will track the performance of the business and the entrepreneur. Businesses that show exemplary growth and initiative are rewarded with benefits and services such as short courses, cloud services and cash stipends. At the end of the second year, entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses and successes for a chance to win their share of prizes to the value $40 000. The Grand Prizes are split into 4 categories
- The Job Creation Prize
- Revenue Growth Prize
- Storytelling Prize
- Integrating Systems and Processes Prize
At the end of the fellowship, the fellows will graduate and join the Anzisha alumni network. If you are a young African Entrepreneur trying to grow a small business or you’ve created something that provides you and your friends with an income – then we look forward to receiving your application.
Eligibility
- You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before 1 September 2003 or after 31 August 2010, will not be considered.
- You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries.
- The Anzisha Fellowship isn’t for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! Get started now and ensure you have tangible results to share before applications open.
- Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply.
- Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started up the project together).
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Judging Criteria
To be selected as one of our Anzisha ventures, your business or project will be judged on the following 5 criteria:
- Is your venture established with customers and beneficiaries and are you offering value to them?
- Are you, the founder, who is leading and managing your venture?
- Is your venture demonstrating some impact already?
- Whether your venture is a for-profit business or cause-based, does it already earn revenue or already impacting beneficiaries? Is there potential to increase revenues or beneficiary reach with support from Anzisha?
- Has your venture created jobs and is there potential to create more high quality jobs?
To be selected as one of our Anzisha Fellows, you must demonstrate two important qualities:
- You are the leader of your venture and you drive both venture strategy and operations.
- You spend at least 20 hours a week (or more) on your business and plan to continue to do so after selection.
Anisha Prizes
- Bi-annual cash stipends to eligible fellows throughout the fellowship.
- Short term educational opportunities, internships and specialised technical expert consultations for eligible fellows in Year 2.
- Job Creation Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has created the most job opportunities since joining the fellowship.
- Revenue Growth Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 with the highest business revenue growth since joining the fellowship.
- Storytelling Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has creatively communicated and distributed their entrepreneurship story through written, oral and visual storytelling since joining the fellowship.
- Systems of Delivery Prize – awarded to the entrepreneur in Year 2 who has effectively used systems and processes learned in the program to advance their business model since joining the fellowship.
FAQs for Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship Program
1. What is the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship?
The Anzisha Fellowship is a two-year venture-building program that supports young African entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22 who have already started businesses or social enterprises. The program offers mentorship, short courses, cloud services, cash stipends, and a chance to win prizes worth $40,000.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be African nationals aged between 15 and 22, with a business or social project based in Africa serving African customers or beneficiaries. Applicants born before 1 September 2003 or after 31 August 2010 will not be considered.
3. What kind of ventures does Anzisha support?
The program accepts ventures from any industry, including science, technology, arts, sports, or civil society. The key requirement is that the venture must already be operational and demonstrating results, not just an idea or plan.
4. What are the judging criteria?
The selection committee assesses ventures based on their establishment, leadership, customer impact, revenue or beneficiary reach, and job creation. Applicants must show potential to scale and sustain their businesses.
5. What prizes are available in the fellowship?
Fellows compete for four main prizes worth a total of $40,000:
- Job Creation Prize
- Revenue Growth Prize
- Storytelling Prize
- Systems and Processes Prize
6. What benefits do fellows receive during the program?
Fellows receive bi-annual cash stipends, mentorship, short-term educational opportunities, and technical consultations. Those who perform well are eligible for additional rewards and recognition.
7. How much time must fellows dedicate to their ventures?
Selected fellows are expected to dedicate at least 20 hours per week to managing and growing their businesses throughout the fellowship.
8. What happens after the fellowship ends?
At the end of the program, fellows pitch their businesses for the final prizes and join the Anzisha Alumni Network, gaining lifelong access to mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities.
9. How do I apply for the Anzisha Fellowship?
Applications are submitted online through the official Anzisha Prize website. You will need to provide personal identification, details about your business, and proof of its operations or impact.
10. When will the next application cycle open?
Application dates vary each year. Interested entrepreneurs should regularly check the official Anzisha Prize website or social media channels for updates on opening and closing dates.
For more information: Visit the website for Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2025 for Young African Entrepreneurs
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