Application Deadline: March 7th 2015
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Western Union have launched the third round of the African Diaspora Marketplace business plan competition (ADM III).
Established in 2009 by USAID and Western Union, the African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) promotes sustainable economic growth and job creation in Africa by supporting entrepreneurs with demonstrable connections to or experience in Africa, who have innovative and high impact start-ups or established businesses on the continent. Since its launch, ADM has held three rigorous business plan competitions to identify and provide support to the most promising entrepreneurs.
ADM aims to support the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing a platform to connect lenders and investors with entrepreneurs across the continent; ADM partners have held two SME banking forums and an SME investor pitch event, as well as related training and webinars to help entrepreneurs across Africa successfully access external financing.
Benefits:
- Successful ADM III applicants will receive a matching grant of up to $50,000 and will have access to technical assistance and other support services.
- The ADM team also provides industry, trade and technology information to support business growth and innovation.
Eligibility Requirements:
- ADM III is open to all US citizens or permanent residents who are members of the African diaspora community and others who have a demonstrated relevant connection to, or experience in, Africa.
- African Diaspora consists of people of African origin. African origin includes people of African descent, not only first generation immigrants.
Eligible Countries of Implementation
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
ADM will not consider applications from or in partnership with:
- Not-for-profit organizations, government institutions (national, regional or local).
- Employees, contractors, or family members of any participating sponsors (USAID, Western Union, Homestrings, the Small Enterprise Assistance Funds, The Arthur Group, Deloitte, George Washington University or the Minority Business Development Agency).
- ADM I or II Awardees, ADM judges, TA providers, or consultants.
- Entities listed in “Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-procurement Programs.“
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the African Diaspora Marketplace Business Plan Competition