The Africa Innovation Fellowship Programme is extending a warm invitation to women entrepreneurs who own engineering businesses to become part of this transformative initiative. The heart of the program lies in its commitment to nurturing women innovators across the African continent. Are you an African woman with a fervent passion for innovation, armed with a groundbreaking idea in the domains of Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Mining (STEM)? Does your concept address a pressing developmental need in your country? Are you ready to transform your vision into a thriving startup that can make a significant global impact? If you meet these criteria, we encourage you to apply for the Africa Innovation Fellowship Program.
Since its inception in 2019, the Africa Innovation Fellowship (AIF) has been dedicated to supporting STEM innovations owned by women throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The AIF 2024 initiative spans eight months and offers a unique opportunity for African women innovators who are at the early stages of their engineering innovations or startups and aspire to foster growth, scale their ventures, and position themselves for investment opportunities. Notably, several AIF alumni have gone on to successfully apply for the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
AIF kicks off in November 2024 with a virtual masterclass series focused on idea and business incubation, leadership development, funding, and pitch readiness, ending in July 2025. The programme is designed to provide founders with a fully funded in person entrepreneurship bootcamp, expert engineering council, venture clinic, mentorship and financial coaching needed to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses.
The fellowship provides numerous benefits, including access to a network of experienced mentors and industry experts, comprehensive training in business development, dedicated co-working spaces, networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and potential investors, and platforms to pitch innovations to a global audience. By fostering a supportive environment, the AIF program plays a pivotal role in advancing women-led STEM enterprises, contributing to sustainable development and economic growth across the African continent.
Requirements For The WomHub Africa Innovation Fellowship Program
- Applicants must have a registered new or innovative STEM-based business idea or startup based in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applicants should have developed, and be in the early stages of commercialising, an engineering innovation that will bring social and/or environmental benefits to a country/countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Individual applicants must be citizens of a country within sub-Saharan Africa*. For teams of two or more, the main applicant must be a citizen of a country within Sub-Saharan Africa.
- No alumni – or co-founders of alumni – on the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation will be eligible for the AIF programme.
- Strong commitment to pursuing entrepreneurship.
- Applicants must be able to commit for the eight month-long programme commencing in November 2024 to July 2025.
- Applicants must have a valid passport and be available to travel between February 2025 to May 2025.
- Demonstrated passion and knowledge in their chosen STEM field.Willingness to actively participate in the programme.
- Applicants must identify as women.
- Applicants must be over the age of 18. There is no upper age limit.
Programme Details
- Mentorship: Access to a network of experienced mentors and industry experts.
- Workshops and Training: Comprehensive training in business development, including; market access, product strategy, external factors, commercial models.
- Co-working Space: Access to a dedicated workspace equipped with essential resources.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and potential collaborators.
- Pitch Opportunities: Present your startup to potential investors and partners.
- Exposure: Showcase your innovation to a global audience.
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