Viridian has been the training partner for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for the last 4 cohorts, having supported over 60 entrepreneurs from multiple countries and sectors. We’re back again for cohort 11, where we will deliver and support on the business development component of the programme, alongside our long-time partners, ViKtoria Ventures.
This year’s shortlist includes innovators from Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Togo who will compete for a share of the £60,000 Africa Prize fund.
Their innovations include lifesaving postpartum care for mothers and babies in rural areas, upcycling and hybrid green energy solutions for farmers, smart agritech for food crops, fisheries and beekeepers, groundbreaking AI tools for the hearing impaired and for monitoring residential energy use, electricity-free cold storage for small scale farmers, and a clean cooking alternative fuel made from recycled plastic.
In mid-March, the 16 entrepreneurs journeyed to London for a week-long bootcamp. It was fantastic to bring these innovators together, where they were able to collaborate with each other and the training team. They were also able to connect with the Africa Prize judges and alumni.
Across five packed days, they dove into crucial areas like the African early-stage fundraising scene, mastering the art of pitching, building powerful strategic partnerships, and sharpening their focus on their strategies and goals.
We’re thrilled to be part of your journey over the next seven months as we build towards the final event. 🏆