• A clear focus on climate change adaptation and/or mitigation: Climate change is a global crisis and poses a significant threat, particularly to Africa. This challenge however could be the opportunity to rethink our ways of living and our interactions with our environment, especially when it comes to the way we do business. Only those start-ups or concepts that enable communities to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change or that significantly contribute to mitigating climate change will be selected as this is the specific focus of the ACIC.
• Innovation: In the face of new crises and threats, we need new solutions and out-of-the-box thinking. The novelty of your concept and approach to solving this crisis will definitely set you aside compared to other applicants and that’s what we will be paying great attention to
• Community relevance & Impact: Any solution or concept that doesn’t meet the needs and demands of the community or those affected is not a solution but rather an additional problem. We want concepts that have or can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected and for this, they should be particularly relevant for the communities in question.
• Traction: What have you and your team achieved beyond the prototype or the MVP? Which crucial milestones have you reached? We want teams or start-ups who have already set a robust foundation with their work so that the prize money can give them the additional push they need to get to the next level.

The African Climate Innovation Challenge (ACIC) is a challenge contest jointly developed and implemented by 3 E’s 4 Africa, Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), and Start.Up Lounge Africa. The project focuses on young Africans’ innovative start-ups, encouraging and empowering them to create a local impact in their communities through training and grant support. The ACIC is a challenge contest centered around young African start-ups in climate change and sustainable development to develop innovative, green business ideas and help them to upscale their business to make more impact.  Young Africans apply to the ACIC with their business start-ups. The best 10 concepts are selected as the ACIC Cohort. They will go through an online curriculum, consisting of training and digital workshops. This allows them to work on and develop their start-ups further. Topics covered include climate change, how to fundraise, brand creation & marketing and business creation/management. The top 6 projects will be invited to Ghana as finalists where they will pitch their project to a panel of jury members. After the pitch event, the jury will select the winners. Each winner will receive considerable prize money dedicated to supporting them in the direct upscale of their business.

1. Empower youth and local communities in Africa by providing them not only with social entrepreneurship skills but also with the tools, knowledge, and funding they need to create local impact.
2. Help African communities build resilience and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change locally.
3. Addressing and solving sustainability-related challenges through entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.

Complete the application form before the deadline. In filling out the form, please take your time and carefully answer the questions completely. Based on the language you feel most comfortable in, please apply either in French or in English. Only complete applications will be considered.

The ACIC is open to all African countries. Startups applying must therefore be based in Africa. Please keep in mind that the whole program of the ACIC will be in both English and French.

1. Before applying, make sure your start-up team and yourself are willing and able to commit to the program of the ACIC
2. You should be a team of 2 – 6 people. Applications from teams with less than 2 people and more than 6 people will not be considered
3. Although not required, we specifically want to encourage female-led teams and teams with 40% – 50% female participants
4. All the members of your team must be of African descent and based in Africa
5. Only existing and officially registered start-ups will be considered
6. The idea you are applying with must be centered around climate change mitigation and/or climate change adaptation
7. All members of your team must be between 18 and 35 years old
8. All members of the team must have a good mastery of either English language or French.

The best 10 concepts are selected as the ACIC Cohort. They will go through an online curriculum, consisting of training and digital workshops, as well as P2P sessions between mentors and participants. Each team will be matched with a mentor throughout the program. This gives teams the opportunity to work on and develop their ideas further. Topics covered in the curriculum include environmental protection, climate change, social engagement, digital literacy, project management and business creation and more.

1. The jury will select the 3 best ideas from the 6 finalists. Each winner will receive considerable prize money dedicated to supporting them in the direct implementation of their idea in the community.
2. All 10 participating teams will get the chance to participate in a 3-month incubation program which will be offered completely free of charge by our local partners. For those who make significant progress during the incubation phase, we will be happy to provide access to an acceleration program through one of our partners. 
3. The 6 finalists selected from the 10 participating teams will have the unique chance to not only participate but also to pitch their ideas on the big stage in Ghana.  This will provide a lot of exposure and opportunities for networking.

After the pitch event, winning teams will have 3 months to upscale their business in their community with the prize money. At the same time, all other 6 teams will have the chance to undergo a 3-month incubation program to further develop their start-up.

After the pitch event, winning teams will have 3 months to implement their projects or concepts in their community with the prize money. At the same time, all other 7 teams will have the chance to undergo a 3-month incubation program to further develop their idea.

Please make sure to submit your application latest by

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 at 23:59 GMT