The ACT NOW Award is an award for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement in the global South. The aim is to give this commitment the recognition it deserves and provide it with a stage. The ACT NOW Award is aimed at successful, committed, self-employed women entrepreneurs and companies in low- and middle-income countries. The award recognizes companies that have shown particular commitment in the areas of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
This year, the ACT NOW Award focuses on women who stand up, make a difference, and dare to run their own businesses or found and lead start-ups.
This year, the ACT NOW Award is held in conjunction with encourageventures e.V.: The Female Founders ACT NOW Award, African Challenge brings together startups founded by women or other companies that have viable, innovative business solutions with a broad angel investor community. The Challenge is designed to showcase and recognize the innovation of startups or companies founded or co-founded by women. Finalists will have the opportunity to win the ACT NOW Award and present their business solutions to business angel investors from the encourageventures network as well as managerohnexecutives on September 21, 2023.
Any independent female entrepreneur from Africa can apply with and for her business! They will also get the chance to participate in an African Challenge, opening the door to independent funding.
The categories
Impact: On the environment, impact on people in the surrounding area, diversity, entrepreneurship.
Innovation: Technology, renewable energies, digitalization, originality and degree of innovation of the business solution compared to existing alternatives
Performance
Produktivität, Wachstums- und Entwicklungspotenzial, Auftragsvolumen, Vertriebsstärke, Realisierbarkeit der Lösung
Eligibility You are eligible to apply if you are an early-stage startup or other entities located in Africa with:
Any kind of sustainable and viable business, that has an Impact, an Innovation or already a higher performance track record
A woman in your founding team or executive leadership team, who is available to pitch on the virtual event on September 21 st, 2023
No VC fund is involved to date from CV Funds
What You Need To Do
A pitch deck
A team philosophy/core
statement of your company
One team photo / single shot
Please review the official rules for more details
SELECTION CRITERIA Team profile: Profile of the founder(s) and co-founder(s), ability to lead the solution to success, hard and soft skills of the operational team. Business model: Demonstrated traction and product-market fit
At least one of the following categories must be met: Impact Innovation Performance
Benefits
The ACT NOW Award
One finalist from each of the 3 categories impact, Innovation and Performance receives an ACT NOW Award – Certificate for the Special Advancement of Women.
Audience Award
One finalist receives the audience award with prize money of 1 000€ from encourageventures and managerswithoutborders.
All 6 finalists…
Receive professional pitch training and the opportunity to pitch in front of a large network of female investors.
The Timeline
May 9, 2023: Opening for submission
August 6, 2023: The deadline for submission of applications is 12 PM (European time).
September 7, 2023: Announcement of 6 finalists – 2 in each category: innovation, impact, and performance
September 21, 2023: Pitch Night of finalists at managerswithoutborders and encourageventures Female Founders – ACT NOW Award, African Challenge & the 3 winners will be announced.
