Entrepreneurs In Industries Including Fashion Can Apply For Jack Ma’s Netpreneurship Prize And Win A Part Of The $1.5 Million Grant

The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) is an entrepreneur initiative prize led by the Jack Ma foundation. The Jack Ma Foundation, which was founded by the owner of Alibaba, Mr Jack Ma, a couple of years ago, seeks to provide children with basic education, provide medical and environmental protection as well as empower women leaders and entrepreneurs.

ANPI was launched for the first time in August 2018, with the aim of identifying and celebrating entrepreneurs with inspiring stories and business ideas. In addition to the publicity the enterpreneurs get from the show being televised, they also get to compete for a share of 1.5 million US Dollars grant.

ANPI also helps entrepreneurs receive mentorship and entrepreneural guidance for their business and start-ups. They also get exclusive training and valuable networking opportunities at the Alibaba Group Headquarters in order to help Africa rise in the global scene.

The benefits of ANPI are endless, which is why it is one of the most competitive entrepreneur initiatives in Africa.

Who can apply for the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative?

Entrepreneurs of any gender, age and sector, including, but not limited to, fashion, business and entertainment, are encouraged to apply for this competition. The catch, however, is that the entrepreneur has to be a national of any of the 54 African countries.

The grant is targeted at any  African entrepreneur who is making a difference in their local communities, working hard to solve the most pressing problems and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future.

In the first ever edition, after receiving about 10,000 applications from over 50 African countries, LifeBank which is a Nigerian start-up brand won the Africa Netpreneur Prize. LifeBank aims to deliver medical products, such as blood, blood products, oxygen and vaccines across hospitals in Africa in order to reduce the mortality rate due to lack of essential medical products.

For this year’s edition, a stream of entrepreneurs will be selected, but only 10 will make it to the final stage. These finalists will then pitch for their share in the overall prize of 1.5 million US Dollars. ANPI will work with a select group of Anchor Partners, such as Ashesi, Dalberg, Janngo and RiseUp this year, to identify and support the African entrepreneurs.

Applications for the ANPI can be made on Africa Business Heroes website. The applications closes on June 9, semi-finalists will be announced in August and finalists sometime in September.

This is a great opportunity for every African entrepreneur to take advantage of.