How To Apply: $120,000 AgricPitch Opened To Startup Agribusiness Founders

One hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) up for grabs as the African Development Bank (AfDB) set up an agricbusiness competition for startup owners across Africa. Submission of application closes tomorrow, October 23, 2020, AllNews gathered from a statement obtained.

The AgriPitch competition is part of the Africa Development Bank’s fourth African Youth Agripreneurs Forum (AYAF) – one of the continent’s most exciting platforms for African youths in the agriculture start-up scene – to be held online for the first time on November 3 -17, 2020.

While speaking about the grant competition, coordinator of the bank’s Enable Youth Program responsible for the event, Edson Mpyisi, said, “The African Youth Agripreneurs Forum and AgriPitch Competition has always been a high-energy gathering for young entrepreneurs in agriculture to meet, share experiences – and work the room for that next big investment.

“The COVID-19 pandemic may keep us from networking in person in 2020, however, the Bank and partners are gearing up to present a dynamic, knowledge-rich Forum online – as well as the most seed funding AgriPitch has ever awarded competitors,” he added.

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How The Pitch Is Planned For This Year

This year’s AYAF and AgriPitch competition will have two segments: AYAF webinars holding on November 3, 10, and 17, 2020. AllNews gathered that the AgriPitch boot camp training is expected to hold from November 2 – 13, 2020, followed by the finalists pitching on November 16 and 17 this year.

It was learnt that "The AgriPitch competition is open to youth aged 18 to 35 who hold African nationality or citizenship and who submit their application online by 23rd October," the statement reads.

It also added that "At the end of the boot camp, selected agripreneurs will pitch their business proposals to a panel of judges.Competition winners will be named in three categories: early start-up, mature start-up and women-empowered businesses.

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"In addition to receiving seed funding prizes and post-competition mentoring, winners will be invited for the AYAF online DealRoom. The DealRoom connects expansion-ready, youth-led African businesses with global investors (debt, equity and/or grant)."

According to AfDB's Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry, Martin Fregene, “The event highlights how youth agripreneurs address nutrition and gender inclusivity while serving as entrepreneurial leaders within their communities and being involved in the agribusiness sector.

“AYAF and AgriPitch aims to provide the knowledge, confidence, financing and networking boosts to grow their startups and make a greater impact,” he added.

Click here to apply.