The Africa Business Club @ Kelley presents an opportunity for African entrepreneurs running early-stage companies to sharpen their business strategies, present to potential investors, and increase their visibility through the African Business Challenge—a competitive platform offering learning opportunities and financial prizes.
Read more about Opportunities
Organized by the Africa Business Club at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, this initiative aims to help Africa-based enterprises become investment-ready while boosting their market presence.
Participants receive guidance on business development, evaluations from investor-judges, and opportunities to win cash awards. For African micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), this represents not merely a competition but an educational opportunity that enhances strategic thinking, investor presentation skills, and professional connections.
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What You’ll Gain
- Individual coaching sessions with seasoned judges and business mentors.
- Cash prizes totaling up to US$5,000 (winner receives US$2,500).
- Structured business presentation training to create compelling, investor-ready materials.
- Exposure and networking opportunities within an international academic business community.
Who Can Apply?
- African-born entrepreneurs operating startups headquartered in Africa.
- Officially registered businesses with established operations (typically minimum 1 year).
- Ventures showing practical business models, potential social/economic impact, and identifiable target markets.
- Single entry per team or company.
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Submission Requirements & Standards
- Business presentations must represent genuine, original content without misleading claims or false information.
- Pitch documentation has page restrictions (previous competitions limited submissions to 7 pages).
- Your business presentation should address core elements: product/service description, target customer base, business traction metrics, and competitive advantages.
- Applicants may need to provide both written executive summaries and participate in live pitch presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions.
Closing Date for Applications: November 20, 2025
Click HEREÂ to apply.
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