The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, established by the Royal Academy of Engineering, stands as the largest prize in Africa specifically dedicated to promoting engineering innovation. It grants support for commercialization to African innovators who are developing scalable engineering solutions to address local challenges. These innovations showcase the significant role of engineering in enhancing the quality of life and fostering economic development.
Launched in March 2014, the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation aims to stimulate, celebrate, and reward innovation and entrepreneurship throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, it has offered invaluable training, mentoring, and communications support to 149 businesses spanning across 23 countries. Additionally, it maintains an active alumni program, with 71% of Africa Prize alumni currently generating revenue. Furthermore, these esteemed alumni have collectively secured $39 million in grants and equity funding.
Benefits
The Africa Prize provides a distinctive package of advantages to a maximum of 16 participants who are shortlisted, aimed at accelerating their businesses. These benefits include:
- Access to expertise in business, technology, and sector-specific engineering, along with mentoring.
- Customized press coverage and assistance with communication.
- An eight-month training program designed specifically for their needs.
- Access to a network of prominent engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa, through the Academy.
- The opportunity for finalists to present their innovations to a judging panel during the Africa Prize showcase event.
- Cash prizes of up to £25,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit applications featuring innovative solutions from any engineering discipline that can effectively address local challenges.
- Applicants should be in the initial stages of commercializing an engineering innovation that encompasses the following characteristics:
- Supported by a realistic and ambitious business plan with strong commercial potential.
- Demonstrates the potential for replication and scalability.
- Promises social and/or environmental benefits to one or more countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Originates from, and will benefit, a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applications for ideas that are still in the conceptual stage or innovations designed solely for military purposes or economic gain are not accepted.
- The innovation can take the form of a new product, technology, or service derived from research conducted in any engineering field, including :
- Biotechnology
- Agricultural technology
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer science
- Design engineering
- Electrical and electronic engineering
- Materials science
- Mechanical engineering
- Medical engineering.
How to Apply
- Are you interested and Qualified? Click on this link https://raeng.org.uk/login?redirecturl=https%3a%2f%2fgrants.raeng.org.uk%2fstartapplication.aspx%3fid%3d13063%26_gl%3d1*2n4tls*_gcl_au*MzgxNTIyNjU2LjE3MTg1MzE2MzU.*_ga*NjU2OTQwNjUuMTcxODUzMTYzNQ..*_ga_08JXMP5ZJJ*MTcxODUzMTYzNS4xLjEuMTcxODUzMjI3MC42MC4wLjA to begin your application process.
- Enroll and set up your account through the grant management system.
- Review the essential applicant guidance notes before submitting your application online.
To gather additional details, you can explore the interactive tool for the Africa Prize, which displays a collection of current and past innovative solutions that have been shortlisted.
Application Deadline
October 15, 2024.
CHECK THESE OUT:
