Open Opportunities for Entrepreneurs by TEF

Here is a list of ongoing open opportunities targeted at supporting entrepreneurs during the current pandemic and compiled by TEF

Virtual Africa Shared Value Leadership e-Summit 
In collaboration with the Shared Value Africa Initiative, the Foundation has secured free access for 1,000 lucky TEF Alumni to attend their first Virtual Africa Shared Value Leadership eSummit from the 2nd-5th of June 2020. Guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, online conversations will focus on challenges faced by business in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular how businesses have had to adapt and the economic recovery outlook for the region. The different webinar sessions during the Shared Value Week from 2-5 June will focus on finance, healthcare, entrepreneurship and innovation – critical areas that business needs to get behind for the region to recover. If you are interested in attending, please use the registration link HERE

COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge
The United Nations Development Programme Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development announce the COVID-19 detect and protect challenge. The fight against COVID-19 is at a crucial tipping point, so the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hackster.io, an Avnet company and the largest online open-source technology hardware community, are taking action. The two organizations have partnered to launch the COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge to create open-source technology that developing countries can leverage in the fight against this global pandemic. To learn more about the challenge, check HERE. 

Peace First Covid-19 Rapid Response Grants
Peace First has launched a rapid response grant process to help young people around the world lead projects that address community impacts of COVID-19, from providing meals to elderly neighbours to launching digital mental health campaigns to support youth feeling isolated. Peace First is offering mini-grants of up to $250, mentorship, and project support to young people leading initiatives to address the secondary effects of COVID-19 in their communities. For more information click HERE.

COVID-19 Business Pivot Challenge 
This Challenge offers an open and collaborative space to develop solutions, post inspiration, gather feedback, and find partners. The OpenIDEO team will be in the Challenge to uncover opportunities to connect participants based upon their interests and needs. While the Challenge is currently a 3-week sprint, we believe this will be just the start. Five selected submissions will be eligible to receive $10,000 each in seed funding from the Vodafone Americas Foundation. For more information click HERE. 

Central Bank of Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund
In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Central Bank of Nigeria has created the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) loans to help cushion the adverse effects of the pandemic on small businesses in Nigeria. UBA will be helping TEF Entrepreneurs access this loan. If you a TEF Alumni are interested in this opportunity, please send an email to [email protected] as a TEF Alumni, and you will be guided on how to access the loan. 

One Young World COVID-19 Young Leaders Fund 2020
One Young World, the global forum for young leaders, is establishing a fund for young leaders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response. Around the world, One Young World Ambassadors are combatting the Coronavirus with the most innovative methods in the most challenging circumstances. The fund is the first of its kind for young leaders who are addressing the impacts of COVID-19 and is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and United Way. For more information click HERE. 

The Global Innovation Fund
The Global Innovation Fund is a non-profit innovation fund headquartered in London with an office in Washington D.C. that invests in the development, rigorous testing, and scaling of innovations targeted at improving the lives of the world’s poorest people. The fund is a flexible funding structure for entrepreneurs in developing countries and the rest of the world: It can provide anywhere from $50,000 – $15 million and can use any form of capital – grants, equity, debt, hybrid capital, etc. For more information on how to apply click HERE.

Solve’s 2020 Global Challenge 
Over $1.5 million in prize funding is available for Solve’s 2020 Global Challenges, including Health Security & Pandemics. Learn more HERE. 

COMPILED by Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF