Four opportunities with African eligibility are closing this week, spanning fintech expansion, engineering innovation and place-based challenges. Deadlines fall between 21 and 26 September 2025.
Global Fast Track 2025
Invest Hong Kong’s Global Fast Track 2025 supports fintech and technology companies expanding into Asia through Hong Kong with year-round 1-2-1 matchmaking, mentorship and a live pitch at Hong Kong FinTech Week. The application deadline is 21 September 2025, with semi-finals on 3 November and the Grand Finale on 4 November. Applicants to the pitching competition must show at least $250,000 in annual recurring revenue or the same in investment, plus a plan to enter Asia within 24 months. Featured tracks include fintech, artificial intelligence, green tech, blockchain and digital assets, insurtech and healthtech, and broader innovation and technology.
Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation offers an eight-month programme of training, mentoring and visibility for up to 16 shortlisted innovators from sub-Saharan Africa. Support includes two fully funded training weeks, one in the United Kingdom and another in a major African city, sector-specific engineering mentoring, communications support and access to the Academy network. Prize money of up to £50,000 is available. First stage applications close on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, at 4 pm UTC+1. The prize is positioned as Africa’s largest dedicated engineering innovation award and seeks scalable solutions that improve sustainability, create jobs, and deliver community benefits across sectors.
ELIDZ STP – Innovation Challenge 2025
ELIDZ Science & Technology Park’s Innovation Challenge 2025 invites Eastern Cape individuals, teams, and entrepreneurs to propose solutions across agriculture, automotive, ICT and electronics, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Applications close on 25 September 2025. Winners receive up to ZAR 100,000 and support, including a dedicated mentor, pre-incubation services where available, and specialist assistance in commercialisation, intellectual property, product design, prototyping, and marketing. The process runs from submission and pre-selection to a boot camp, a refined application if required, and a final pitch. Applicants must reside in the Eastern Cape or demonstrate commitment to delivering positive impact in the province.
The MEST Africa Challenge 2025
The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 is a pan-African pitch competition for early-stage technology startups, delivered with Absa as primary partner. The top prize is a $50,000 equity investment, with further benefits including entry into the MEST portfolio, pilots with Absa business units, exclusive partner prizes and one year of professional business coaching. Eligible startups must operate in at least one of Absa’s priority markets of Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia or Ghana. Additional criteria include a minimum $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue, $1 million or less raised, no more than three years in operation and at least two founders. Applications close 26 September 2025.
These programs cover market entry, technical acceleration and regional problem solving. If your venture fits the criteria and geography, consider submitting before the listed deadlines.