FINCA Ventures Prize Competition 2026

The FINCA Ventures Prize Competition is a shark-tank style contest for rising African entrepreneurs. It offers grant funding and a pathway to present before a panel of judges, with travel to San Francisco covered by FINCA. The competition targets early-stage, for-profit ventures with a focus on Fintech for Financial Inclusion or Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Up to $100,000 grant per category; travel costs to San Francisco covered; opportunity to present before judges and connect with donors and investors.

Companies must have at least one African founder, be for-profit, post-revenue, operational for no more than five years, and active in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Online application submission followed by screening, shortlisting, semi-final and final rounds with a live pitch before judges and investors.