Harvard is launching its annual competition for African startups with a prize of 55,000 dollars

The Harvard Africa Business Club, a student initiative of Harvard Business School, has officially opened applications for its prestigious “New Venture Competition,” designed to identify and support the most promising African startups. This competition is part of the annual Africa Business Conference, which will be held in Boston on March 27 and 28, 2026.

The prize includes a cash award of up to $55,000, and potentially much more. For participating startups, it’s an opportunity to gain exceptional visibility with international investors, private sector leaders, and a knowledgeable audience. The first applicants to submit their applications will also have the chance to be mentored by Harvard MBA students, who will provide strategic support in developing their business model and pitch.

The competition is exclusively for early-stage African startups. The eligibility criteria are strict: they must be less than five years old, still in the seed stage with less than one million dollars raised, and above all, demonstrate a clear impact on the continent, whether in terms of social innovation, technology, sustainable development or economic inclusion.

Through this initiative, Harvard aims to highlight the diversity of African entrepreneurship. The previous edition revealed profiles as varied as they were inventive, and this year again, the jury intends to promote projects led by founders with different backgrounds, from all geographical areas and operating in multiple sectors, from health to finance, including agriculture and energy.

Applications are open until January 23, 2026. Selected startups will be invited to Boston to present their projects to a panel of experts and investors. Beyond the competition, this is a true gateway to Harvard’s global innovation ecosystem, offering the most ambitious young African companies a world stage to showcase their potential.

Benefits of Participation

• US$55,000 total prize pool, distributed as US$30,000 for first place, US$15,000 for second place, and US$10,000 for third place.
• Pitching exposure to a live audience of more than 1,000 conference attendees, including investors, founders, and industry experts.
• Mentorship and investor access through meetings and feedback sessions with judges and conference delegates.
• Publicity and networking that can help founders accelerate market entry and fundraising efforts.

Eligibility for Participation

• Startups must be Africa-based or primarily operate in African markets
• Team size must be under 50 employees
• Company age must be under five years
• Total funding raised to date must be below US$1 million
• Applicants should demonstrate a viable, scalable business model that addresses a local problem

Submit applications here now.