Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

Happy Monday! I hope you're starting the week off strong and eager to take your business forward. We've curated a robust selection of opportunities today in an effort to advance your entrepreneurial journey in any of a number of different directions, whether that means innovating with AI, driving a social impact business, or building the future of African industry.

From a multi-million dollar manufacturing AI award to fully sponsored leader development for African women and critical grants for Nigerian agri-food SMEs, there's something to support every aspiration. We also have a cutting-edge initiative for Nigerian women focused on mentorship and experiential skills, and asset grants for nano, micro, and small businesses in Nigeria.

Let's make this week count in scaling your business and defining the future of African entrepreneurship!

• Soft Girl, Hard Skills Mentorship Program: Empowering Nigerian Women Leaders & Entrepreneurs!

• SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme 2025: Asset Grants & Training for Nigerian Small Businesses!

• Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI & Manufacturing: $2 Million Prizes to Revolutionize African Industry!

• UONGOZI Institute Women's Leadership Programme 2025: Fully Funded for African Female Leaders!

• MEST AI Startup Program 2026: Fully Sponsored 12-Month Accelerator for West African AI Startups!

Soft Girl, Hard Skills Mentorship Program: Empowering Nigerian Women Leaders & Entrepreneurs!

Unlock Leadership, Business, and Career Capabilities with Master Mentorship—Apply Now!

A rigorous six-month window of opportunity has opened for young Nigerian women to marry personal elegance with workplace abilities! The Soft Girl, Hard Skills Mentorship Program by Beyond Boundaries is receiving applications. This groundbreaking program is designed to empower Nigerian women aged 21-35, marrying invaluable mentorship with expert skills development in leadership, business, and career capability. Whether you have interest in entrepreneurship, technology, advocacy, or professional growth, this program offers a life-shaping experience to own your femininity while building robust professional and entrepreneurial capabilities. program is suited for:

Participants will experience an amazing amount of benefits:

• Mentorship by Experts: Learn directly from top women leaders, like individuals like Rinsola Abiola, and learn invaluable knowledge and tips.

• Career Advancement Support: Receive personalized support to advance your career.

• Entrepreneurship Skills: Acquire practical skills from the ideation of a business to scaling up successful enterprises.

• Leadership & Confidence Building: Become a confident leader with enhanced self-esteem.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded women and seasoned professionals, expanding your network.

• Structured Learning: Participate in weekly online sessions, live workshops, and task-based assignments for holistic learning.

• Certificate of Participation: Receive official certification on successful completion of the program.

SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme 2025: Asset Grants & Training for Nigerian Small Businesses!

Power Your Nano, Micro & Small Business to Thrive

A once-in-a-lifetime chance has emerged for nano, micro, and small enterprises in Nigeria! The SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme 2025, a flagship programme of the Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation, has flung open its doors to applications. This is a carefully crafted program to ensure Nigerian businesses thrive by offering necessary asset grants, total entrepreneurial training, and expert advisory services. If you are an entrepreneur looking to turn your potential SME into a future corporation to contribute to the economy of Nigeria and provide jobs, then this program is ideal for you.

Successful participants will receive;

• Asset Grants: Receive tangible business equipment and/or machinery (this is an asset grant, not money).

• Expert-Led Training: Engage in virtual masterclasses led by industry professionals, focusing on key entrepreneurial skills.

• Mentorship & Advisory Services: Receive one-on-one advice and strategic guidance to overcome business challenges and unlock potential.

• Business Growth: Support to help your business reach sustainability, expand operations, and create jobs.

  Deadline: July 27th, 2025

  Apply Now

Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI & Manufacturing: $2 Million Prizes to Revolutionize African Industry!

Are You a Seasoned African Manufacturer? Leverage AI? Compete for the $1 Million Top Prize!

A pioneering opportunity is available to experienced businesses across Africa's manufacturing sector that are harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies! The esteemed Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing is currently seeking innovative ideas capable of transforming manufacturing value chains in developing countries. With a total prize of an impressive $2 million, including a Grand Prize of $1 million, the competition aims to boost efficiency, cut waste, create jobs, foster business expansion, and spark global breakthroughs through technological innovations.

Who is it for?

• Africa Operations: Should be in Africa's manufacturing field.

• Established History: Should have been in existence for two years or more.

• Funding Raised: Should have raised Series A+ funding, which indicates a good base and future growth potential.

• Innovation & Impact: Solutions should leverage AI and other emerging technologies to drive workforce and job creation.

Competing companies stand to gain a great deal financially and tactically:

• Total Prize Amount of $2 Million:

  A $1,000,000 Grand Award will be given to the winning solution.

  $250,000 to the Runner-Up.

  $100,000 to the Most Innovative Application of 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) technologies.

  $50,000 for each of the 10 semi-finalists.

  An additional $30,000 for each of the 5 finalists.

• Elite Networking: Exposure to unique opportunities for networking with industry leaders, investors, and decision-makers.

• Pitch Opportunities: Chance to pitch innovations in front of a VIP audience.

Deadline: July 31st, 2025

UONGOZI Institute Women's Leadership Programme 2025: Fully Funded for African Female Leaders!

Unleash Strategic Leadership Potential, International Mentorship, and Overcome Work Challenges

An exceptional and fully funded opportunity awaits senior and aspiring female leaders across Africa! The UONGOZI Institute Women's Leadership Programme 2025 is now accepting applications for its transformative initiative, designed to empower women to address and overcome leadership challenges in the workplace. If you are a high-achieving African woman at middle or senior management level, this programme offers a unique learning experience to improve your strategic decision-making, leadership of people and resources, and overall personal and leadership capabilities.

The winners will be awarded a complete, fully-funded scholarship package:

• Fully-Funded Scholarship: Covers all program fees, required books, and travel expenses for in-person sessions.

• Comprehensive Leadership Development: Participation in a Women's Leadership Forum, intensive training, one-on-one coaching, and expert mentoring.

• Access to Global Thought Leaders: Learning from and engaging with world leaders and experts.

• Resource Centre Membership: Get membership to the UONGOZI Institute's Resource Centre.

• Logistical Support: Meals and refreshments during in-person program sessions.

Deadline: July 15th, 2025

MEST AI Startup Program 2026: Fully Sponsored 12-Month Accelerate for West African AI Startups!

Grow and Build Your AI Venture with Proven Training, Incubation, and Investment Readiness

A significant, multi-funded opportunity has emerged for future AI entrepreneurs in West Africa! MEST is currently accepting applications for its AI Startup Program 2026, a highly rigorous 12-month programme designed to provide talented individuals with the skills and resources to develop and expand globally competitive AI startups. If you are a West African interested in AI and entrepreneurship, this could be your launchpad to success!

The MEST AI Startup Program offers comprehensive benefits designed to accelerate your startup journey:

• Fully-Funded: Program costs are completely covered.

• Hands-on AI & Business Training: Learn about how to develop and release AI MVPs, test business ideas, and software development fundamentals.

• Expert Engagement: Direct access to world-leading AI experts and lean startup methodologies.

• Incubation Support: Personal support in scaling AI products, customer acquisition, and investment readiness.

• Mentorship: Intense mentorship by industry experts.

• Product & User Base: Develop a deployable AI product and build a user base by the end of the programme.

• Investment Roadmap: Establish a clear investment roadmap to attract future investment.tment.

Deadline: August 22nd, 2025 

ICYMI

• 10 Lessons from Warren Buffett’s Psychology of Success- New Trader U

• AI For Small Business: A Practical Starting Point For Owners And Teams - Forbes

• 5 things Every Startup Founder Needs to Know After the Idea - Fast Company

• Barbara Corcoran Suggests Your Overall Success Comes Down to Seven Little Words - INC

• Four Ways To Invest In Yourself While Growing Your Business - Forbes

• Volunteer Recruitment: Join the Movement for Girls’ Education and Youth Empowerment in Africa

• Shell 4-Week Virtual Internship on AI (One-on-One Mentorship)

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