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iHub By Patrick Munyi / July 27, 2011

Orange launches African Social Venture Prize

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On June 8th 2011, Orange launched the African Social Venture Prize to offer financial assistance and expertise to mid-sized start ups in Africa. The venture prize is targeting enterprises with a passion for using ICT to positively change the lives of the less fortunate members in their communities.

The top three projects will receive cash prizes of €25,000 (Approx. KSh. 3.175 m), € 15,000 (Approx. KSh. 1.905 m) and € 10,000 (Approx. KSh. 1.27 m), in that order, as well as the support of entrepreneurial and ICT experts for six months, to help them realise their project design.

Projects may range from banking services to applications in essential areas like healthcare, education and agriculture. Moreover, all entries must be designed with ease of real world applicability in at least one of the 17 African countries in which Orange operates. Participants must also use information technology in an innovative way that can help improve the living conditions of the poorest of the poor.

The prize fund is open to students over the age of 21, young professionals or entrepreneurs running companies that have been in existence for less than 2 years since the launch of the competition on June 8 this year. This is in line with the socio-economic development agenda that Orange has set out to realise as it aims to use the Prize to raise awareness about the role that ICT can play in development.

Interested parties can get more information visiting the Starafrica website here.

Applications should also be sent via mail to this link by September 15th, 2011. Winners will be announced by the venture prize organising committee on November 10th, 2011 this year.

For more information, please contact Angela Ng’ang’a-Mumo, Head of Corporate Communications, Orange Telkom Kenya.

Author : Patrick Munyi