Multi-million dollar prize competitions with an Africa spotlight
A rolling series of multi-year innovation competitions from the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation, awarding millions for technology solutions that advance the SDGs in Africa.
Use when
You run a commercially operating African company with real traction and a technology solution that fits the current prize theme.
Skip when
You are pre-revenue or under two years old, or your work does not map onto the theme that is actually open right now.
Status (8 Sep 2026): the Circular Economy Prize is the live competition, with US$2 million in prizes including a US$1 million grand prize; its main application deadline passed on 13 August 2026. Past editions covered AgriTech, FinTech, Green Energy and AI & Manufacturing, so a new theme normally follows. The Circular Economy edition requires more than two years of continuous trading.
Equity-free acceleration plus up to $500,000 follow-on in Morocco
Kigali's venture studio and early-stage investor
Mini-MBA and seed prizes for Cameroonian women entrepreneurs
Zayed Sustainability Prize