Africa’s innovation calendar is heating up again—five high-impact programs are about to shut their application portals. From creative-industry pitch battles in Lilongwe to AI-powered public-service contests for BRICS nations, these opportunities span funding, acceleration, and global showcases. Scan the details, mark your calendar, and hit “submit” before time runs out.
Creative Business Cup Malawi 2025 Finals
Deadline: August 4, 2025
Type: Competition.
Target Region: Malawi.
Target Stage: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A.
Organizer: Creative Business Cup Malawi.
Overview
The CBC Malawi Finals crown one startup to represent the country at the global Creative Business Cup in Copenhagen. Ten shortlisted ventures will battle it out live in Lilongwe across the full spectrum of creative industries.
Event Details
- When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 · 08:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Where: Lilongwe (venue TBA).
- Application: F6S platform – “CBC Malawi 2025”
Focus Sectors
Advertising · Architecture · Crafts · Design · Fashion · Film/Photo/Video · Gastronomy · Music · Performing Arts · Publishing · Radio/TV · Software & Gaming · Experience Tech · Leisure · 3-D Printing · Toys & Games
Why Compete
- Six-month mentorship for all finalists
- Gadgets, vouchers & pro services from local partners
- Possible cash prizes for top 3
- National winner advances to CBC Global Finals, Copenhagen (14–16 Sep 2025)
In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025
Deadline: August 4, 2025
Type: Competition
Target Region: Ghana · Kenya · Nigeria · Rwanda · Tanzania
Target Stage: Pre-Series A, Series A
Organizer: Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC)
Program Highlights
- Up to $30,000 per enterprise.
- 12-month accelerator with technical bootcamps & milestone tracking.
- National “Dragon’s Den” pitch events.
- Pan-African investor and partner network.
Sector Focus
Climate-smart Agriculture & Resilient Infrastructure—digital tools, green tech, community-driven solutions.
Eligibility Snapshot
- Registered African business.
- Revenue history.
- SMART climate-impact plan.
- Strong preference for the five spotlight countries.
8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize
Deadline: August 7, 2025
Type: Competition.
Target Region: BRICS nations (South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia included)
Target Stage: Seed, Pre-seed.
Organizer: Technology Innovation Agency.
Why Submit
- Pitch at the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum in Brasília, 15–17 Sep 2025.
- Lead theme: AI for Public-Service Solutions.
- Prizes: $25,000 / $15,000 / $10,000 for top three.
Eligibility & Package
- Under 40 yrs.
- Citizen/permanent resident of a BRICS country.
- Original creator.
- One project only.
- Submit app form, CV, project deck/video, and 300-word statements describing innovation and impact.
RevUp Women Initiative – Nigeria Edition
Deadline: August 8, 2025
Type: Accelerator.
Target Region: Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja, Abia cohorts).
Target Stage: Seed, Pre-seed.
Organizer: AfriLabs.
Program Snapshot
- Format: 12-week virtual + in-person sessions.
- Cohort: 150 women founders (Agribusiness & E-commerce).
- Funding Pool: $24,000 (three × $5000 winners; three × $3000 runners-up).
Key Benefits
- Capacity-building modules.
- Pan-African female mentor network.
- Investor visibility.
- Grant funding.
- Post-program showcase opportunities.
How to Apply
Complete the online form at revupwomen.com/call-for-application. Prepare registration docs and basic company info. Applications opened 11 Jul 2025.
Environmental Tech Lab 2025 Challenge
Deadline: Aug 8, 2025
Type: Competition.
Target Region: Global.
Target Stage: Stage Agnostic.
Organizer: Environmental Tech Lab.
Program Features
- Eight-week Paid PoC with NYC Department of Environmental Protection.
- Focus Areas: WaterTech · ClimateTech · CleanTech · SensorTech · AI & Data · GovTech.
- Real-world deployment across NYC infrastructure.
- Guidance from NYC Cyber Command & DEP engineers.
Eligibility at a Glance
Operating prototype + at least one customer deployment.
Registered to do business in New York State.
Able to store DEP data in the U.S.
Public companies excluded.
Why Apply
Validate tech in one of the world’s largest municipal utilities, gain powerful case studies, and unlock a path to longer-term NYC contracts.
Application clocks are ticking. If any of these windows align with your venture’s focus, apply before the cut-off and position yourself for funding, mentorship, and global exposure. For a continuous stream of time-sensitive calls, bookmark our Opportunities Radar page and stay two steps ahead of the next big deadline.