The Anzisha Prize is once again on the search for young social African entrepreneurs running community-benefitting startups to be part of the initiative’s 2015 intake who will receive support for their ventures in the form of valuable training and cash.

Every year, the Anzisha Prize selects 12 entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 22 from around Africa to fly down to Johannesburg and take part in a week-long entrepreneurship workshop and conference at the African Leadership Academy campus. At an official awards ceremony, the winners receive their share of $75 000 (around R770 000) towards their business.

Last year, Thato Kgatlhanye and Jeffrey Mulaudzi represented South Africa as Anzisha Prize fellows. Nteff Alain from Cameroon won the grand prize, while Kgatlhanye was first runner-up.

Startups in any field or industry can apply but if your team is made up of two or more people, one person must be selected as a representative. Startups will be judged on the following criteria:

• Impact: Does your venture have a demonstrated, measurable and positive social and economic impact?
• Ingenuity: Have you taken a new or better approach to a pressing problem or business opportunity within your community?
• Scalability: Does your business or social project have the potential to grow or be replicated with support and investment?

Applications are yet to open, however Anzisha Prize has set 1st April as the application deadline. From there on, finalists will be chosen in June and announced in July and will take part in the workshop, conference and awards ceremony in September.

Keep an eye out on the Anzisha prize website, Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.

[Source and image – Anzisha Prize]