Youth-led African agrifood businesses are back in the spotlight as Generation Africa rolls out the 2023 edition of the Gogettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.

Gogettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition Objectives

By identifying and supporting innovative, high-potential agribusinesses, Generation Africa aims to inspire millions of youths to pursue a career in the fast-evolving agrifood sector. The organisation’s support efforts continue to grow and include a bespoke Generation Africa Fellowship Programme (GAFP), specially curated scholarship opportunities, advocacy platforms and more.

With top mentors, a network of global industry leaders, and a growing community, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition seeks to fast-track the growth of agribusinesses with the potential to ensure food security and provide dignified employment.

Benefits

• After the semi-final process, twelve finalists will be invited to pitch their businesses to a panel of expert judges. Finalists will also be given facilitated access to the AGRF Agribusiness Deal Room to grow their network with potential investors, partners, and collaborators.
• The award ceremony will also take place at the AGRF Summit. Beyond the two US$50,000 grand prizes, additional Impact Awards of US$2,500 each will be awarded to four innovative businesses who make a positive social and environmental impact by contributing to climate-preneurship, food security, poverty reduction, and/or job creation in their communities.

Eligibility Criteria

• The competition is open to all African agripreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35, who are the founders or co-founders of innovative and scalable agrifood businesses.
• Applicants must be citizens of an African country, and their business headquarters must be in Africa.
• This year the top GoGettaz agripreneurs will travel to the AGRF Summit which is being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

• The Entrepreneur
  • Entrepreneur is aged 35 or below on the date of submission to the competition, and is legally recognized as an adult in country of nationality.
  • Entrepreneur holds nationality (with an official ID) from a country which is a member of the African Union.
  • Entrepreneur is the founder/co-founder of the venture he/she represents in the competition and plays an active role in its operations and leadership.
  • Entrepreneur has no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony or other offense, and will provide a signed declaration to that effect, if requested.

• The Venture
• • Venture is already legally registered in a country which is a member of the African Union or will have commenced with the registration of such a legal entity prior to June 1, 2023.
  • Venture is headquartered in a country which is a member of the African Union.
  • Venture is designed to be financially sustainable, either as a for-profit business or a non-profit generating some revenue and aiming not to be dependent on donor funding.
  • Venture plays a role in the agri-food sector and/or supports the development of the agri-food sector through an innovation or process improvement.
  • The agri-food sector may be defined as businesses including:
    • Agri-food research and development.
    • Primary food production (farming).
    • Crop nutrition.
    • Irrigation.
    • Mechanization, automation or robotics, including drones.
    • Crop protection.
    • Hydroponics or urban farming.
    • Transport, distribution, storage or logistics.
    • Food processing.
    • Packaging or marketing.
    • Food retail or service.
    • Waste management or recycling.
    • Digital or technology solutions/services to the agri-food sector.
    • Innovative finance solutions/services to the agri-food sector.
    • Renewable energy or environmental solutions/services to the agri-food sector.

Criteria

An expert jury will review all applications, considering the following criteria:

• Innovation (20%)
• Market potential and traction (20%)
• Social and Environmental Impact (20%)
• Business model (20%)
• Founder and team (20%)

The deadline for applying for this grant is June 19, 2023. For more information, visit Generation Africa