Applications are open for the African Rethink Awards (ARA), offering 100 startups the chance to pitch their businesses in Paris, France, and win up to EUR10,000 (US$11,166).
Hosted by French think-tank Planetworkshops, the ARA will form part of a nine day event dedicated to African economies; the event dubbed the Land of African Business (LAB). LAB is organised on the sidelines of the United Nation’s COP 21 meeting.
100 shortlisted startups – African or from the African diaspora – will be invited to present the vision behind their enterprises in Paris, to an audience of political and economic decision-makers and stakeholders from all around the world
The startups selected to pitch with have their flights to Paris covered.
In addition, the startups will be competing to win three awards: the Grand Prize, EUR10,000 (US$11,166); the Diaspora Award, worth EUR5,000 (US$5,583); and the Award for Women’s Entrepreneurship, also offering EUR5,000 (US$5,583) prize money.
The organisers said the ARA aim to reward the three most innovative and efficient startups, trying to address the current issues of the social, economic, environmental and societal development faced by the African continent.
Applications can be made online, until October 10.