Call for applications: Ekiti Enterprise Challenge in Nigeria

The challenge is a social impact-driven pitch competition for young solution-oriented entrepreneurs and business owners in the southwest Nigerian state of Ekiti.

The contest is organised in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and looks to identify and support budding entrepreneurs from the region who can create more job opportunities to improve the communities within which they operate.

The competition offers a cash prize of about $2 500 to the winning business idea. There will also be consolation prizes for contestants who place second, third and fourth. They will receive about $1 300, $800 and $500 respectively.

Who should apply?

The competition is open to entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years with businesses established and operating in communities within Ekiti State.

Players in the following industries are encouraged to pitch:

• Entertainment and music production.
• Innovation technology.
• Interior design and decorations.
• Agriculture and food processing.
• Fashion designing.
• Tourism and hospitality.
• Art and crafts.
• Shoes and leather works production.
• Furniture and upholstery.
• Confectionaries and event management.
• Green enterprises, waste management and recycling.

Note:

• Businesses must be at least 12 months old and already generating revenue.
• Businesses must have potential for exponential growth and scale beyond the local market to the national and global market.
• Businesses must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and have a corporate bank account with a corporate governance structure.
• Businesses must have a clarity business model with leadership capacity to deliver the business value proposition.

How to apply

Interested entrepreneurs can fill out the application form. 

Following a review of the applications, the best 50 applicants will be selected for a five-day pitch development boot camp where they will receive grooming and mentorship on how to make their final pitch. They will then have the opportunity to present their pitches for a chance to win the ultimate prize and further investment from industry leaders.

The application deadline is 30 September.

View the original call here.