Register for The AFDB AgriPitch Competition

The AgriPitch Competition aims to instil a culture of innovation and nurture agribusiness innovations to create jobs and improve livelihoods among the youth. The expected outcome of the competition is to select winning ideas that can lead to new products, businesses, programs, projects and processes, while engaging young entrepreneurs eager to tackle the challenges they face as well as global challenges through “nutrition and gender inclusive solutions” that transform agriculture as well promote inclusive growth.

Through a call for proposals, all business profiles submitted for the AgriPitch Competition will go through a rigorous screening process based on specific criteria. An evaluation committee will be responsible for selecting the 25 best businesses who will then be invited to participate in the 2020 AgriPitch Competition.

Shortlisted businesses will participate in a virtual AgriPitch Competition from November 16-20, 2020, where winners will be chosen based on different categories under consideration. The African Development Bank will award shortlisted businesses between US$10,000 and US$40,000 in the form of grant capital (US$120,000 in total is committed).

Business Categories and Areas of Focus

Profiles for the competition will be submitted under three categories:

1. Early Start-ups (0-3 years) – eligible for the AgriPitch competition Grant prize for Early Start-ups.
   1. Individuals who are at the very early stage of developing ideas/concepts for Agripreneurship or a newly established business.
   2. Must have a clearly defined prototype or proof of concept.
   3. May or may not have had any products introduced to the market.
   4. May or may not have a registered corporate entity.
2. Matured Start-ups (above 3 years) – eligible for the AgriPitch competition grant prize for Matured Start-ups.
   1. Individuals and firms with existing market traction: technology, product, service, etc., already on the market.
   2. Must have a clear investment ask and growth plan/strategy.
   3. Must be a registered corporate entity.
3. Women Empowered Businesses:  eligible for the DealRoom with investors
   1. Firms with at least 51% share of women ownership or founded by a woman.
   2. Individuals and firms with existing market traction: technology, product, service, etc., already on the market.
   3. Must have a clear investment ask and growth plan/strategy.
   4. Must be a registered corporate entity. 

Applicant Evaluation Criteria

All applicants should consider this criteria carefully as they build out their profile for submission:

Value Proposition and Innovation Rationale (30% weighting):

• How creative is the idea or how creatively the idea solves a problem related to ICT and agri-digitization?
• Gender responsiveness
• Addresses nutrition
• Job creation potential
• Competitive edge

Sustainability and Scalability (20% weighting):

• Sound environmental management systems
• Potential for scaling-up
• Sufficient and qualified staff, including management

Business Feasibility & Traction (30% weighting):

• Clear customer pain / need intensity and market size
• Commercial and technical feasible with strong profit margins
• Existing traction and customers (for matured start-ups)

Professionalism and Presentation of Business (5% weighting):

• Structure and presentation of the business model
• Ease of comprehension of the business
• Strong writing / presentation skills

Investment Appeal (15% weighting):

• Investment pull based on respective early start-up, matured start-up, and all-star stage

Application Closing Date
20th November, 2020.

Click Here to Register Now!

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