Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

Welcome to Monday and an opportunity-filled week! I’m starting your week with an exciting lineup of programmes, grants, and awards to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, broaden your horizons, and energize your career.

From fully-funded leadership programmes for African business leaders to large grants for tech nonprofits and climate change entrepreneurs, and even a highly respected award for AI solutions in public service, your next innovation could be just a few clicks away.

Pay close attention to the deadlines, as some of these fantastic opportunities are about to close! Let's turn dreams into reality. Have a look!

• Fast Forward Accelerator Programme 2025

• Joint Innovation Facility Offers $100,000- $250,000 for Climate-Focused Digital Innovation Projects

• ELISA Business Scholars Program 2025

• Google Sustainable Development Program for Startups 2025

• 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize 2025

• The Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) Project

Fast Forward Accelerator Programme 2025

A Global Accelerator for Tech Nonprofits with Social Impact!

Are you leading a tech nonprofit with an aspiration to increase your social impact? The Fast Forward Accelerator Programme is a fantastic opportunity to scale your organisation with the support of capital, mentorship, and a robust network. This program is specifically designed for early-stage tech nonprofits who have a product in hand and are ready to drive impact.

What You'll Get:

• Funding: A $25,000 grant to fund your growth.

• Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from experienced nonprofit professionals to shepherd you through challenging moments.

• Curriculum: Comprehensive instruction in nonprofit essentials, product development, and expansion strategies.

• Community: Join a strong peer network of other tech nonprofit founders.

Who Can Apply?

Early-stage technology nonprofits with a minimum viable product (MVP), irrespective of your nationality or legal status (provided that you are a legally registered nonprofit). The program takes into account leadership, technical ability, and potential for broad-scale impact.

Deadline: September 8, 2025

Joint Innovation Facility Offers $100,000- $250,000 for Climate-Focused Digital Innovation Projects

Access Financing and Technical Support for Your Climate-Responsive Digital Innovation!

Do you have a digital innovation that can address climate change, and are you an African innovator? The Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) is offering non-dilutive capital and technical support to grow high-impact, climate-resilient ventures. This opportunity, under the Africa-Europe Digital Innovation Bridge umbrella, provides access to the resources you need to make a lasting impact.

What to Expect:

• Funding: Access €100,000 to €250,000 in non-dilutive, milestone-linked grants.

• Mentorship & Support: Have access to the JIF Project Studio, which provides professional mentorship, investment readiness support, technical advisory, and networking opportunities.

• Visibility: Increase your project greater strategic visibility across Africa and Europe.

Who Can Apply

Consortia with a lead African partner from among 14 focus countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, etc.). Your innovation should be piloted, scalable, gender-sensitive, and marketable.

Deadline: September 15, 2025

ELISA Business Scholars Program 2025

Scale Your Entrepreneurial Business in Zimbabwe

Ready to turn your business idea into a job-generating behemoth? The Elisa Business Scholars Program is a fully sponsored, one-year opportunity by the International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD) for high-potential African founders of businesses.

What to Expect:

• A 3-day live event in Zimbabwe with fellow like-minded founders.

• One-on-one guidance by a dedicated business leader for a year.

• Trained by professionals to refine your business plan, learn your financials, and create winning investor pitches.

• A lifetime membership in the prestigious ELISA business network.

And The Best Part? It's All Financed! That includes your flights, room, and board for the on-site training in Zimbabwe.

Who is it for? African entrepreneurs and leaders who are interested in galvanising innovation and job creation on the continent.

Deadline: August 31, 2025

Google Sustainable Development Program for Startups 2025

Join Funding, Mentorship, and a Global Network of Innovators!

Are you a founder of a startup committed to making a real impact? The Google Sustainable Development Programme for Startups is designed to support a global community of innovators dedicated to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This programme is not time-limited, allowing you to create a lasting, meaningful difference.

What to Expect:

• Funding Connections: Connect with venture capital and other investment partners to secure the funding needed for growth.

• Expert Mentorship: Get personalised guidance and support from a community of experts who share your business area of interest.

• Platform Technology: Leverage Google's platform technology to build on and reach more individuals.

• Community Building: Be part of an international community of like-minded founders and leaders.

Who Can Apply?

The program is geared towards startups and entrepreneurs committed to working on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) Project

Influence Policy and Shape Africa's Future with the African Union!

The African Union (AU) Commission invites African think tanks to join the Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) Project. This five-year, $50 million World Bank Group-funded initiative is an unprecedented opportunity for think tanks to amplify their influence and directly shape regional and continental policy.

What to Expect:

• Funding & Influence: Join a sustainable platform for cooperation with policymakers and regional blocs.

• Capacity Building: Build capacity to contribute to evidence-informed policy.

• Impact: Foster the AU Agenda 2063 long-term vision and a unified Africa.

Who Can Apply?

Groups of 3-5 officially listed African think tanks with a lead institution. Proposals should address a minimum of four of the following priority topics: economic transformation and governance, climate change, food security, regional trade, human capital development, and digitalisation.

Deadline: September 24, 2025

8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize 2025

Win up to $50,000 for Your AI Solution! - Apply now!

Are you a young innovator from a BRICS country with a creative idea for using Artificial Intelligence to transform public services? The 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize is your chance to become a global winner and earn significant prize money. This competition, part of the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum, seeks innovative, pre-market startups that could change lives.

What You Can Win:

• First Prize: $25,000

• Second Prize: $15,000

• Third Prize: $10,000

Who can apply?

Anybody under the age of 40 years as of December 31, 2025, who is a permanent resident or national of a BRICS country (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Your project must revolve around the subject of "Artificial Intelligence applied to Public Service Solutions."

Deadline: August 7, 2025

ICYMI

• 11 Strategies for Navigating Career Plateau - Fast Company

• How To Manage People Who Talk Too Much At Work Without Shutting Them Down - Forbes

• Beyond job titles: How great leaders lead - Technode

• A Guide to Building Change Resilience in the Age of AI - Harvard Business

• Next Wave: Money is coming back to African startups; we need a better story to make it stay - TechCabal

• AI Isn't Plug-and-Play — You Need a Strategy. Here's Your Guide to Building One. - Entrepreneur

• 2025 Wellington Advocacy Fall Intership

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