Attention, African Innovators and Ecosystem Enablers!
Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa, where Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG) holds exclusive rights, is the African edition of GSA, a global movement to identify the top 1% of next-gen tech solutions that seek to solve and respond to some of the world’s greatest opportunities and challenges.
GSA Africa is the largest independent startup ecosystem competition scouting tech innovation startups from across 50+ African countries with the mission to find, fund and grow the future shapers of the digital age from across Africa.
Engage in cross-border collaboration, tap into global networks, and access funding opportunities that transcend borders. GSA Africa is your gateway to accelerating your startup’s journey and connecting with the global innovation community.
Categories are tailored to individuals, ecosystem enablers, and startups, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063. Category specific criteria can be found here.
GSA Africa Season 2024 Competition Categories:
- Women In Tech
- Youth
- Health Tech
- Green Tech
- Fintech
- Mobility & Logistics
- Agritech
- Co-Working Space
- Accelerator / Incubator Program
- Investor of the Year
- Founder of the Year
- Startup of the Year
- Ecosystem Hero of the Year
- Best Newcomer
GSA Africa Season 2024 General Criteria for Startup Applications:
- The startup must be a maximum of 5 years in age – calculated from establishment date until public nominations open
(with exception of the Best Newcomer category and the Best Venture Capitalist category). - The startup must have been founded and must currently be located in the country participating in the competition.
- The startup must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and/or service in the market.
- The startup must be generating monthly recurring revenue.
- The startup must have a team of two or more people.
- The startup must be African-led, meaning that it must have at least one founder or co-founder on the team who is from Africa and resides on the continent.
- All applications must be submitted in English, and all decks/pitches must be in English too.
Overview
Program dates | Jan 1 - Oct 30, 2025 |
Organizer | Global Startup Awards |
Website | Visit website |
Targets | Africa |
Sectors | Sector agnostic |
SDG (17) | All |
Updates
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Shinead posted an update on the Competition page Global Startup Awards Africa.
In 2024, GSA Africa will call in Ethiopia ‘home’ following the announcement of the strategic alliance between The Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), Ministry of Labor and Skill- FDRE (Mols), Ministry of Innovation And Technology- Ethiopia (MInT), and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI). Read More
Stay tuned to our social pages for the latest updates!