Deadline:September 20, 2018.
Inspire Africa for Global Impacts Initiative with support from the U.S. Embassy Abuja, is implementing the IGNITE Innovation Lab project that seeks to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills of young people aged 18 to 35 through intensive training and mentorship.
Participants will receive two days of entrepreneurship training, with the top 25 females selected to participate in a week-long innovation lab. Five business plans will be crafted during the lab session, with the top three to receive prizes as seed funding to support their startups.
Participants will receive two days of entrepreneurship training during the Ignite Summit in Lokoja and Zaria (November 2018), with the top 25 females selected to participate in a week-long Ignite Innovation Lab (January 2019).
The goal of the Ignite Innovation Lab is to empower young entrepreneurs to successfully co-create innovative and sustainable business ideas that address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals so as to transform their communities, create jobs, and promote economic prosperity of the nation.
Five business plans at a minimum will be crafted during the lab session, with the top three to receive prizes as seed funding to support their startups.
All the business plans will be designed with the additional goal of advancing one of five United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: health and well-being, education, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, and/or economic growth. At the end of the project, the beneficiaries will be matched with business experts for continuous mentoring.
Participants are expected to apply as teams.
Benefits:
1. Women empowerment: This program directly benefits 300 young females in Nigeria. Females interested in starting or growing their businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
2. Funding and mentorship support: Female winners will receive cash prizes, business development and mentorship support, fundraising support and the opportunity to pitch to investors.
3. Capacity Development: This program will expose participants to and widen their knowledge on social entrepreneurship, innovation, design thinking, fundraising.
4. Participate in SDGs implementation: This program encourages youth and women participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals implementation to transform their communities and build economic prosperity.
5. It’s FREE: Participation for both the Summit and Lab are free. In addition, lab participants will be provided accommodation, feeding and a transport stipend.
6. International Exposure & Learning Opportunity: Participants will get the chance to compete for a delegate slot to attend the Global Engagement Summit in Chicago, USA.
Eligibility Requirement:
In order to be considered for Ignite Innovation Lab, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Applications will be accepted from candidates in Nigeria ONLY.
2. Candidate must be female and within the ages of 18 to 35 years.
3. Candidate must be fluent in English (any level of education is acceptable).
4. Submitted ideas must be innovative and address any of the Sustainable Development Goals. (Check here for goals; http://datatopics.worldbank.org/sdgatlas/).
All winning business plans must be designed with the additional goal of advancing one of five United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: health and well-being, education, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, and/or economic growth.
5. Submitted business ideas must already have a prototype or be at the pilot stage.
6. Candidate must apply as part of a team (2 – 5 persons per team is acceptable).
7. Candidates are allowed to pair-up or partner with other participants at the Ignite Summit to form a team.
9. Candidates who wish to participate in the Ignite Innovation Lab at Abuja must participate in one of the IGNITE Summits either in Lokoja or Zaria.
Selection Criteria
Submitted ideas will be selected based on four judging criteria:
1. Demonstrated commitment to solving some of the pressing challenges in their community.
2. Possession of a creative and innovative mindset and idea.
3. Proven track record of making contributions to solving social causes.
4. Willingness to engage in co-creation with peers and experts.
5. The proposed idea must address one or more of the following UN Sustainable Development Goals below: http://datatopics.worldbank.org/sdgatlas/
Submission Instructions
1. To participate in the Innovation Lab, please complete and submit the online application form via this jotform link:
https://form.myjotform.com/81427207210546
2. If you will like to participate only in the Ignite Summit Workshop without being considered for the Innovation lab in Abuja, register via this link: https://www.f6s.com/ignitesummit2018/about
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