AFRISE CHALLENGE
A start-up competition for African youth
Potential of youth innovation in Africa
1.3+ billion
Population
18
Median age
500 million
Mobile phones
200 million
Internet users
How does the program work?
Applications are now open for the 2024 AFRISE Challenge!
First launched in 2023, the AFRISE Challenge supports high potential African youth between 18–35 years of age on their entrepreneurial journey. The program enables them to contribute to local and regional economic development by becoming job creators.
- We will select thirty applicants* (teams or individuals) to participate in a 4-week mentorship and leadership development accelerator.
- Our jury will select the Top 15 entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a group of early-stage venture investors and Entrepreneurship Support Organizations.
- The Top 5 entrepreneurs will be invited for a 1-week International Exposure conference.
Nigeria
Uganda
Morocco
Kenya
Senegal
We want to hear from individuals or teams who have innovative solutions for the following sectors:
Financial services
Healthcare
Agriculture
Energy/utilities
Education
Environment
Telecommunications
Arts & creativity
Our first year
In early 2023, Concordia ran a 4-week startup boot camp for African youth to support young innovators and entrepreneurs – and develop a solution that will have a significant impact on their communities.
After receiving almost 400 applications, 30 were chosen to take part in the boot camp with the top five invited to participate to a field trip in Montreal to learn about the startup ecosystem there and pitch their businesses.
About Concordia Africa Initiative
Concordia Africa Initiative has the goal of building transformative relationships with African communities and institutions by directing the university’s strengths toward key areas affecting socio-economic development.
