Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

Navigating the growth journey can be difficult, but accessing the right support shouldn't be. This week, I've curated a powerful digest of opportunities to fuel your journey. From innovators using tech for good to founders who are scaling their teams, to leaders driving change in the energy sector, today’s content is your guide to grants, awards, and mentorship programs in Africa.

Get ready to find the resources you need to take your vision to the next level.

• Accelerator Program for Climate and Care Women-Owned Businesses

• New ₦2M Grant and Training Programme for Nigerian Entrepreneurs

• $10,000 Energy Innovation Challenge for Young Africans

• $30,000 Creative Economy Grant for West African Startups

• TVC Labs MentorPitch 10 Program for early-stage startups.

• Innovation Challenge for African Higher Education

Accelerator Program for Climate and Care Women-Owned Businesses

Six-month program of mentorship, grants, and support to develop your mission-driven social enterprise.

Do you lead a social enterprise that is passionate about creating positive change in the world? The Miller Centre Accelerator Program is an ideal fit for companies that are passionate about empowering women economically and promoting climate resilience. This Silicon Valley-based investment-readiness program is designed to provide you with the tools and resources required to expand your operations and prepare for investment. Participants will benefit from a proven curriculum, seasoned mentorship, and access to a global community of social entrepreneurs.

What You'll Get

• Individual Business Guidance: Take direction from executive mentors and leadership coaches.

• Real Growth Plans: Develop clear plans for expanding your business.

• Global Network Access: Connect to a global network of peers.

• Investment Readiness: Get your organization ready for future investment readiness.

Who Can Apply?

• Have more than one year of operating experience.

• Generate at least $50,000 USD in annual earned income.

• Have a minimum of three full-time staff members.

• Have a working financial model and a minimum of three months of cash runway.

• Demonstrate commitment to the creation of positive transformation for the poor, specifically women's economic empowerment or climate resilience.

Deadline: November 1, 2025.

New ₦2M Grant and Training Programme for Nigerian Entrepreneurs

Access funding and business development training to expand your small or medium-scale business.

The Get Compass Grant Scheme, spearheaded by the Grooming Centre, is designed to support small and medium-scale businesses in Nigeria. In contrast to other financing schemes, the scheme provides not just a cash injection but a complete package of aids to empower entrepreneurs to develop their strategy, guarantee long-term sustainability, and grow their businesses successfully.

What You'll Get

• Grant Funding: Stand to benefit from a grant of as much as N2,000,000 to finance your business.

• Business Workshops: Get trained in a tailored, two-week session in Lagos, during which business professionals will mentor you in scaling your business.

This opportunity is for entrepreneurs who are:

• At least 18 years old.

• Your business must be registered and must not have been in operation for over three years.

• You must be able to attend a two-week physical workshop in Lagos.

• Be a going concern, with evidence of operations.

Deadline: September 7, 2025.

$10,000 Energy Innovation Challenge for Young Africans

Competition for young innovators to pitch Africa's energy transition and job opportunities solutions.

Would you like to become a young African entrepreneur or innovator aiming to contribute to sustainable energy solutions? The Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) is hosting its 10th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge, a competition designed to give young professionals like yourself the chance to design or improve energy management systems, fintech, or agricultural business devices using local materials. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your innovation and help shape a cleaner, brighter future for the continent.

What You'll Receive

• Cash Prizes: The winners could receive grant awards of up to $10,000 to turn their ideas into innovative products.

• Pitching Session: The shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to pitch their prototypes at the 2025 Nigeria Energy Forum.

• Mentorship and Networking: Receive exposure to business growth training, a start-up incubator, and a vast network of industry professionals.

Who Qualifies?

This opportunity is for young Africans aged 18 to 35. Apply as an individual or in a group of at least three individuals. The groups should be gender-balanced, with at least a woman and a man.

Deadline: September 15, 2025

$30,000 Creative Economy Grant for West African Startups

Opportunity for entrepreneurs at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and innovation.

Are you an entrepreneur with a startup in West Africa that uses technology to deliver creative and economic change? The D4D Hub Creative Economy Grant is a new funding opportunity designed to support and reward innovative initiatives like yours. In collaboration with Moonshot by TechCabal, this award offers a sizable prize fund and exposure to a network of technology influencers, philanthropists, and policymakers. This is your chance to receive recognition for your work and achieve the key funding you need to scale your vision.

What You'll Get

• Cash Prizes: A $30,000 overall prize fund will be split among three finalists ($15,000, $10,000, and $5,000).

• Investor Exposure: Pitch your project to investors and tech entrepreneurs at the Moonshot 2025 event in Lagos.

• Visibility: Gain visibility for your startup with the key tech and policy opinion leaders.

Who Can Apply?

The award is available to West Africa's institutions and startups with digitally driven and tech-enabled projects. Applicants must be eligible and should be able to demonstrate traction, have a solid team, and have potential for long-term creative and economic impact.

Deadline: September 3, 2025

Innovation Challenge for African Higher Education

An opportunity for universities to discover funding and support for green, digital, and social innovation.

Is your university committed to developing innovation and enhancing sustainable development? The British Council Enterprise and Innovation Challenge invites Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa to make proposals. Through the challenge, your institution stands a chance to develop a university's capacity for driving impactful innovation in priority areas, culminating in inclusive economies and driving job creation. Through engagement, your institution can acquire much-needed funding, create international networks, and initiate transformative change in your community.

What You'll Receive

• Critical Funding: Access funding that will drive meaningful innovation.

• Global Connections: Establish new partnerships and connections with international organizations.

• Community Impact: Drive positive impact in key areas like green, digital, and social enterprises.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is open to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. This is an opportunity for institutions in general to develop new projects and not individuals, like students or entrepreneurs.

Deadline: August 26, 2025.

TVC Labs MentorPitch 10 Program for early-stage startups.

A mentorship program that matches founders with experts in the industry to fine-tune business models and scale operations.

As a startup founder of an early-stage, tech-driven venture in Nigeria, TVC Labs MentorPitch 10 is an excellent means to propel your growth. The program was developed to provide founders with a structured curriculum, one-on-one mentorship, and strategic networking opportunities to craft business models and gear up for growth. You will get instant feedback and guidance from seasoned business leaders through 12 interactive virtual sessions.

What You'll Get

• Expert Instruction: Participate in 12 interactive virtual sessions led by high-quality mentors.

• Personalised Assistance: Get one-on-one feedback on critical areas of business like markets, customers, and funding.

• Networking Benefits: Become a part of a cohort of peer entrepreneurs and build a strong professional network.

Who Is Eligible?

This is a startup program for founders with a technology-enabled solution and a live Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that is already generating revenue (6-24 months). Your startup must be legally formed and currently operating in at least one Nigerian state. Your team must be coachable and include a minimum of one female founder.

Deadline: August 31, 2025

ICYMI

• Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Exit Mindset from Day One — and How I Learned This the Hard Way - Entrepreneur

• AI Is Making Marketing Great Again: Delegate marketing drudgery to AI and spend your time on the creative aspects.- INC

• How to Successfully Drive Change When Everything Is Uncertain - HBR

• The Best Leaders Normalise Emotion at Work - HBR

• How To Cut Through The Noise: 20 Non-Digital Marketing Ideas - Forbes

• 2025 Data Analytics Internship at UNFPA: Remote Opportunity with Global Impact

• HR Internship Program, Stipend ₹10000 /Month, Apply by Aug 31

• YLabs is Hiring Consultant 2025: Growth & Partnerships Consultant – Remote

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