Applications are open for the third cohort of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), with a further 1,000 entrepreneurs to be selected to join the 2017 edition of the programme.
TEEP was launched in December 2014 by the Tony Elumelu Foundation with the target of creating one million new jobs, and US$10 billion in additional revenues for African economies. The Foundation pledged to invest US$100 million during the course of the 10 year initiative.
2,000 entrepreneurs have already benefitted from the programme over the past two years, and applications for the 2017 cohort of TEEP have now opened, with a further 1,000 entrepreneurs to be selected.
The programme sees entrepreneurs participate in a 12 week intensive training course, with participants given US$5,000 in seed capital. On-going mentorship is also available to participants.
“Our programme is a deliberate effort to institutionalise luck and provide the essentials for business growth to Africa’s next generation of business leaders. It is a demonstration of my faith in this generation’s ability to transform the African narrative, from the single story of disease and poverty, to one of enterprise and opportunity. Spread the word; we need Africa’s best and brightest entrepreneurs. Their ideas will transform Africa,” said TEF founder Tony Elumelu.
To be eligible for the programme, businesses must be based in Africa; must be for profit; be less than three years old; and applicants must be at least 18 and a legal resident or citizen of an African country.
TEF said applications from female entrepreneurs, and French, Arabic and Portuguese speakers are particularly encouraged.
Disrupt Africa reported previous editions of the programme have been dominated by Nigerian applicants.
Applications are open here until March 1. Selection is made on a rolling basis so early application is advised.
