D-Prize Challenge 2027 for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty ($USD 20,000)

Application Deadline: May 17 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 D-Prize Challenge. The D-Prize seed new organizations

distributing proven poverty solutions, all aiming to scale.

Requirements

You should have enormous ambition and can imagine yourself as a successful entrepreneur.

You are ready to launch your new venture, and if a pilot proves successful you are excited to

grow it into a world-changing organization.

If you are still a student or have existing commitments, you should have a clear idea of how

to transition into a full-time founder.

D-Prize is exclusively interested in ventures that will scale the distribution of an already

proven poverty intervention in the developing world.

Eligibility

D-Prize challenges are open to anyone or any team. The sole restriction is that individuals

and their immediate family on the judging panel may not participate as contestants.

D-Prize is also open to any business model (for-profit, non-profit, and everything in between).

All winners will be awarded up to $20,000. The award is offered in the form of a convertible

grant.

Application Timeline:

Round 1

First Round proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis, using the following deadlines. We

strive to send decisions out within four months. Judges may request additional information

via email before making a decision.

Early decision deadline: May 17 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time, UTC -7).

Regular deadline: June 7 2026 at 23:59 PT.

Extension deadline: June 28 2026 at 23:59 PT. Extensions are limited to the first people

who register at: www.d-prize.org/extension

Round 2

Top entrepreneurs invited to participate in Round 2 will be asked to respond to several pages

of short written questions to create a full proposal. These questions ask for more details

about your operations, budget, milestones, and other items. Participants will receive a Round

2 Proposal Packet with full instructions. Those invited to the Second Round will have about

two weeks to submit.

Final Round

Entrepreneurs invited to the Final Round will interview with judges over email and on the

phone. Depending on the promise and cost-effectiveness of a proposal, judges may award

up to $20,000 in funding. The average D-Prize award size is $16,000.

APPLY HERE

The Sahara Group Global Management Trainee Programme 2026 for young Nigerian graduates.

Application Deadline: April 17, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Sahara Group Global Management Trainee Programme. Sahara Group is a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Driven by a bold M.A.D ambition, Sahara is transforming the entire energy value chain – upstream, midstream, downstream, power, and technology – to deliver sustainable, innovative solutions that create lasting impact. 

The #SaharaBeyondXXX GMTs are the next generation of bold thinkers and innovators; high‑potential professionals equipped to power our Beyond XXX journey and drive Sahara’s continuing transformation.

Are you looking for an experiential Masterclass in the realities of the business world?

Do you have the grit and mettle to thrive in a fast-paced environment?

Are you ready to make the commitment that will put you on an upward career trajectory with real time business exposure and projects?

If this sounds like you, show us what you’ve got. 

Designed for high‑potential young professionals, the programme supports a fast transition from learning to leadership; placing participants early into responsibility within Africa’s energy sector.

Programme Scope

The #SaharaBeyondXXX GMT Programme offers:

6 Months hands-on training with live projects and transactions,

End-to-end exposure to the energy value chain,

Deployment and rotation across key parts of the organisation,

Direct mentorship from senior leaders and subject-matter experts, and

Early leadership responsibility in fast-paced, high-impact environments.

The #SaharaBeyondXXX GMT Programme

It is an accelerated pathway for Xtra Talents poised to shape Africa’s energy future and power Sahara’s next chapter of transformation.

Eligibility

Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower(2:2) in any discipline or equivalent from an accredited tertiary institution.

0–3 years work experience

A Master’s degree or professional qualifications is an added advantage.

APPLY HERE

The Standard Chartered Foundation Women In Tech Accelerator 2026 for Women-led Businesses (USD 600K in grant funding).

Application Deadline: Varying by Country

Applications are now open for the 2026 Standard Chartered Foundation Women In Tech Accelerator. The Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator supports impact-creating, tech-enabled, women-led startups in building thriving businesses across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. 

Village Capital partners with supports local implementing partners in each market to strengthen program delivery through strategic guidance, technical assistance, and shared learning frameworks, ensuring founders receive high-quality, locally tailored support.

Requirements

Are you a woman leading an impact-creating, tech-enabled startup operating in Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, or Zambia?

Benefits

Peer Connections

Build relationships with a wide network of mentors and industry leaders within relevant sectors.

Funding

Access capital, with over USD 600K in grant funding distributed annually across markets.

Growth

Receive personalized development plans tailored to each entrepreneur’s needs.

Training

Strengthen investment-readiness through training that refines business models and growth strategies.

APPLY HERE

APPLY HERE FOR NIGERIA

APPLY HERE FOR ZAMBIA

APPLY HERE FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Call For Applications: Bet9ja Foundation ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0 (Up To N3Million Grant )

The ScaleUp Business Accelerator Program is Bet9ja Foundation’s flagship entrepreneurship program designed to identify, support, and accelerate high-potential Nigerian SMEs and startups. Through non-dilutive grant funding, structured training, mentorship, and market access, the program equips early-stage businesses with the tools and support needed to scale sustainably and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

Selected businesses receive up to ₦3 million in grant funding and compete in the ScaleUp Pitch Challenge, where the winning business is awarded an additional ₦5 million grant.

Program Benefits 

Mentorship

Work closely with experienced mentors and industry experts who provide hands-on guidance tailored to your industry.

Funding

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Access non-dilutive funding to help you build and scale your business without giving up equity.

Growth

Unlock access to investors, partners, a growing community of ScaleUp alumni and new markets.

Who should apply

Businesses that:

Are registered in Nigeria (CAC or Business Name registration).

Have operated for a minimum of 6 months.

Are generating revenue.

Demonstrate clear traction (revenue, customers, or pilot programs).

Show strong scalability potential beyond their current market.

Founders that:

Are Nigerian citizens or legal residents.

Are between 22 and 40 years old at the time of application.

Are founders or co-founders actively involved in the business.

Can commit to full participation in the 10-week accelerator.

Eligible Industries

The Bet9ja Foundation ScaleUp Business Accelerator welcomes startups and growing businesses across a wide range of industries. Our program is designed to provide tailored mentorship, access to funding and strategic growth opportunities for businesses with the potential to scale sustainably.

 Agriculture & Agritech

 Healthcare Services & HealthTech

 Fintech & Financial Services

 EdTech & Skills Development

 Renewable Energy & CleanTech

 Retail & E-commerce

 Light Manufacturing & Production

 Logistics & Transportation

 Fashion & Lifestyle

 Professional & Business Services

 Hospitality & Tourism

 Creative Industries & Media

 Others

APPLY HERE

Apply for the Giving Joy Small grants. (up to $500 USD) For Women Entrepreneurs and Changemakers Worldwide.

Deadline: April 30, 2026

Giving Joy is an international nonprofit that provides small grants (up to $500 USD) to women entrepreneurs and changemakers worldwide.

Their goal is simple: To Help women build income, independence, and impact in their communities.

What They Fund

They fund ideas with impact, especially those that:

Help women, girls, or families

Create social + economic change.

Are innovative and practical

Examples:

Women empowerment programs

Small businesses with community impact

Skill training projects

Social enterprises

2026 Application Timeline

In 2026, they changed to 2 global cycles per year:

🟢 Cycle 1 (Spring 2026)

Opens: April 1, 2026

Closes: April 30, 2026

Results: June 2026 

🟣 Cycle 2 (Fall 2026)

Opens: September 1, 2026

Closes: September 30, 2026

Results: December 2026

Who Can Apply?

You are eligible if:

You are a woman (18 years and above)

From any country

You want to:

Start a business

Grow a business

Launch a nonprofit/NGO

Run a community project.

Giving Joy Website

APPLY HERE

Call For Applications: Startup Innovation Challenge 2026 for Nigerian Startups & SMEs (Over ₦100 Million in Prizes)

Applications are now open for the Startup Innovation Challenge 2026, a high-impact opportunity for startups, SMEs, and innovators across Nigeria to access funding, mentorship, and business support.

The program is organized by Startup Abuja, a social enterprise focused on empowering entrepreneurs and building Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

An online innovation challenge and business growth experience for startups, SMEs, tech innovators, and entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

Why You Shouldn't Miss This Opportunity

Over ₦100 million worth of prizes (cash + AWS credits + mentorship + business support)

Over ₦100 million worth of prizes (cash + support)

Access to at least ₦1,500,000 in AWS credits via Transnet Cloud.

Mentorship, visibility, and investor-readiness support.

Free AWS-powered environment to build during the innovation challenge.

Prize Categories (Equity-free)

1st Place

₦10 million value

₦5M Cash

₦4M AWS Credits

₦1M Business Mentorship/Training

2nd Place

₦8 million value

₦3M Cash

₦4M AWS Credits

₦1M Business Mentorship/Training

3rd Place

₦7 million value

₦2M Cash

₦4M AWS Credits

₦1M Business Mentorship/Training

10 Runner-Ups

₦8 million value

₦200,000 Cash

₦1.5M AWS Credits each person/team

All selected participants

₦500,000 worth of AWS credits

Challenge Categories :

EduTech

HealthTech

FinTech

AgroTech

Web3 / Blockchain

E-commerce

SaaS

Logistics / Transportation

Real Estate

And more...

Who Can Apply :

Both genders (age is not a restriction)

Nigerian or any other Africans

Non-Africans building for the African market

Your solution is tech-enabled

You have at least a working prototype/MVP for your solution (with a functional website)

Application Deadline

Application is open and will close on Sunday, 31st May 2026 by 11:59pm.

APPLY HERE

Apply Now For The Florish Africa grants program 2026. For Women Entrepreneurs.

Flourish Africa is the women empowerment movement founded by Apostle Folorunso Alakija to serve as a catalyst for female empowerment and development. Borne out of her passion to see women become truly fulfilled and empowered, the Flourish Africa movement was designed to create a platform for both female millennials and adults alike to have access to information that will help them grow in the areas of their career, business, love, and relationships.

 Eligibility 

To qualify, you must:

Be a woman (18–50 years) 

Own a business in Nigeria

Have at least 51% ownership (if co-owned) 

Have access to internet (for training) 

Business stage:

Startup OR existing small business

 For advanced cohorts:

CAC registration may be required

At least 1 year in business + small team

How to Apply

Visit flourishafrica.com

Complete the online application and upload the required documents

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email for the next stage

APPLY HERE

WEBSITE