“Africa today means business,” announces this year’s call to entry for the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship.
Already in its fifth year, this prestigious event encourages entrepreneurs across the continent to embrace the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, works to establish a strong African network of entrepreneurs, investors, business people and policy makers and gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch to investors and venture capitalists who are looking to invest in Africa.
Building strong networks
For the first time, this year’s award programme includes an intense full day conference, which will be held on 8 December 2011 directly before the awards ceremony. Designed to be informal, informative, practical and actionable, six master classes will cover sectors and topics that are most important to investors and entrepreneurs, and will focus on how to best unlock Africa’s burgeoning growth.
It will then be followed by an exclusive “investor speed dating” session where entrepreneurs can pitch their ideas to VCs and investors.
Africa will benefit
Since its inception in Rwanda in 2007, the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurs has grown from five countries and 454 entries to 15 countries and over 2 700 entries in 2010. The 2011 awards are now open to the entire continent, making the competition stiffer, but the network and learning opportunities much bigger.
In addition to the exposure businesses will receive simply by taking part in the competition, the grand prize winner will receive $100 000 in prize money, with an additional $50 000 each going to five other finalists. Profitability, ROI and growth will all be evaluated in the judges’ final decision, as well as long-term strategy, culture and values.
To be eligible to enter a business must be a profitable, growing enterprise that generates between $1 million and $15 million per year.
For more information visit www.africaawards.com