For the first time ever, the Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa has expanded their programme to enable all future shapers from 55 African Union member states to participate in one of the largest independent startup ecosystem-driven competition in the world. The competition will begin with nominations for the GSA Africa with the awards providing contestants with the opportunity for growth, development and the opportunity to form partnerships globally.
The competition acknowledges and rewards all aspects of an startup ecosystem, from the startup themselves to the people behind them and the organizations that work alongside these visionaries to make great things possible.
In order to apply for the competition, individuals are expected to either enter or nominate a future shaper in Africa. Applications and nominations must be completed online. The entries to the competition close on 31 July 2021.
Below are the categories in this year’s contest:
Women in Tech celebrate a pioneering tech startup founded and owned by woman/women.
Agri-Tech is awarded to innovative solutions in food security, food production, farming methods, and nutrition.
Health-Tech recognizes astartup that has initiated medical breakthroughs through innovative solutions in Bio-Tech, Health-Tech, wellness, and telemedicine to improve quality of life.
CommerceTech acknowledges the startup connecting Africa by enabling commerce using technologies ranging from mobile-commerce, e-commerce, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, to fintech, insurtech, and big data.
IndustrialTech celebrates the startup that is enabling Africa’s industrialization with innovative solutions for safety, mining, manufacturing, production, logistics, mobility, and supply chain management.
ESG Tech is awarded to the startup that is enabling environmental, social impact, or corporate governance solutions in areas such as renewable energy, CleanTech, sustainability, recycling, water and sanitation, human rights, Edtech, GovTech, policy, and regulation, among others.
Startup of the Year salutes a startup that inspires the next generation of founders by positively impacting the economy and the world in general. It should be a product and/or service that is already a success on the market, disrupting its industry with an innovative approach.
Best Newcomer acknowledges a startup of up to two years in age with the potential to become Startup of the Year in the future. Its product and/or service should already be on the market and on a path to disrupt its industry and positively impact the economy and the world.
Founder of the Year will go to a startup founder or co-founder who has shown strong leadership skills and achieved exceptional business results while also being an inspiration to their team and a role model for the next generation of founders.
VC of the Year honours the VC who has created impressive financial results while investing bravely in innovative companies that can positively impact the economy and the world, supporting them with resources other than purely financial.
Best Accelerator/Incubator Program recognizes a fixed-term, cohort-based, mentorship-driven program that helps and empowers entrepreneurs to foster the growth of their innovative companies by providing tools, resources, connections, knowledge, and expertise.
Best Co-working Space is bestowed on a co-working space that deserves recognition for the services, support, and resources it gives to fast-growth startups, and for creating a culture and an environment that fosters innovation.
