Entrepreneurship opportunities

AwardX, run by LaunchX LLC

AwardX International 2026 Young Entrepreneurship Competition

A free entry global pitching competition for high school student founders, carrying a cash prize, a full LaunchX Online Flagship Program scholarship and scholarship awards for the finalists.

Eligibility: High school students anywhere in the world with a passion for entrepreneurship

Deadline

November 14, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

The prize table lists the winner at 1st $5000 Cash plus a Full Scholarship to LaunchX Online Flagship Program, a Certificate and LinkedIn Badges, and the finalists at 1st $3,000 Scholarship to LaunchX Online Flagship Program with a Certificate and LinkedIn Badges. The announcement of the round states a $5,000 cash prize for the winning founder or team and a $3,000 LaunchX program scholarship for each of the top 10 finalists. The submission fee per team to participate is FREE.

timbuktoo, United Nations Development Programme

timbuktoo Africa UniPods Mentor Network 2026

timbuktoo, the UNDP pan-African innovation initiative, is recruiting mentors for its university UniPod network across more than 20 African countries. Volunteer role, apply by 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Experienced professionals able to offer guidance in artificial intelligence, technology, business or a related field

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda

Funding or benefit

Volunteer pro bono mentorship role, no stipend or fee

Orange Corners Nigeria (FATE Foundation)

Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme Cohort 16 for Young Entrepreneurs

Orange Corners Nigeria, implemented by FATE Foundation with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is selecting Cohort 16 of its six month incubation programme for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35. Participants get enterprise training, advisory, mentorship and access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

Eligibility: Aged 18 to 35

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre, Queen's University

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027

The Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre is opening applications for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, a free, fully virtual, 8-month programme for African students and recent graduates building ventures. Up to 60 fellows in the final phase receive a stipend of $500 CAD, and fellows pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD. Apply by 1 December 2026.

Eligibility: Open to students and recent graduates from any academic discipline and any post-secondary institution in Africa

Deadline

December 2, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Free to apply. Up to 60 fellows selected in the final phase receive a stipend of $500 CAD, and fellows can pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the closing pitch competition. All Queen's digital badges and certificates are provided free of charge

Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University

Thunderbird SHARE Fellowship 2027: Full Tuition, Living Expenses and Executive Mentorship at Arizona State University for Leaders from Low and Middle Income Countries

The SHARE Fellowship is an alumni funded scholarship and mentorship programme at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, for students from developing countries who plan to make an impact in their home regions. It funds full tuition and expense money for the Master of Global Management degree, and wraps it in one on one coaching and introductions to a network of executive mentors, with 80 fellowships granted across 42 countries so far. The route is open to Nigerians and other Africans: Thunderbird selects people from low and middle income countries guided by the OECD list of ODA recipient countries, regardless of current passport. To be reviewed for the fellowship you must be admitted to the Master of Global Management by 31 December 2026, the SHARE application cycle opened 1 September, and attendance at an official information session is required, with the next listed session on 5 November 2026 at 9:00 am Arizona time.

Eligibility: From a low or middle income country, guided by the OECD list of ODA recipient countries or similar regions, regardless of current passport

Deadline

December 31, 2026

Location

United States

Funding or benefit

SHARE ensures full tuition and expense money for the Master of Global Management, funded entirely by Thunderbird alumni and friends. The school states the package covers full tuition and living expenses so Fellows can participate fully in campus life. Travel, visa fees, health insurance and books are not named in the published terms, so confirm the exact award conditions with Thunderbird.

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurs Corporation

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition 2027 for High School Founders Worldwide

A free global virtual pitch competition that asks high school students to build an original business idea using Blue Ocean Strategy tools and present it in a video of under 5 minutes. Registration is open now, pitches are due by 21 February 2027, and the 2027 awards run to USD 1,000 for first place plus regional, People's Choice and teacher prizes.

Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or an equivalent pre-university level when you register, such as secondary school, GCSE or IGCSE, O-Level or A-Level study, or the International Baccalaureate

Deadline

February 21, 2027

Location

Worldwide

Funding or benefit

2027 awards: 1st place USD 1,000, 2nd place USD 750, 3rd place USD 500, and a People's Choice award of USD 750 for the Top 100 pitch with the most likes and comments on YouTube. Regional winners in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Middle East each receive USD 500, and three participating teachers each receive USD 500 as Blue Ocean Teacher Champions. Certificates are awarded to all winners.

Jasiri

Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9 for Food Systems Entrepreneurs in East Africa

A 13 month, fully covered venture-building programme for Kenyan, Rwandan and Ethiopian entrepreneurs who want to create new food systems ventures, with up to USD 28,000 in milestone-gated venture creation funding.

Eligibility: You are a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia, whether you live at home or in the diaspora

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

USD 30 communication support during the one month Jasiri Jumpstart phase. USD 250 per month living support for the three months of the Residential Intensive. Up to USD 3,000 per team for prototyping and testing at the market validation stage. USD 28,000 venture creation grant per venture, disbursed in three milestone-gated tranches. Funds are released in local currencies, Rwandan Francs, Kenyan Shillings or Ethiopian Birr, using a predetermined annual exchange rate.

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF)

Youth Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Civic Leadership Program, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

A three month civic leadership and entrepreneurship program for UNN students, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, with a ₦300,000 micro-grant pathway for outstanding participants.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A ₦300,000 micro-grant opportunity for outstanding participants to support promising ideas and initiatives

The Maple Awards

Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026 for Entrepreneurs, Researchers and Technology Professionals

The Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026 is a selective international network that brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers and AI and robotics professionals who want to support emerging innovators across the global ecosystem.

Eligibility: Entrepreneurs and startup founders

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies