The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) has officially launched its 15th edition, inviting entrepreneurs from 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East to submit their innovative projects.
In 2011, the OSVP began recognising and rewarding exceptional startup ventures that use new technology to improve education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
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The announcement was made on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the application period, which will run until May 18, 2025.
Eligibility and application process
Entrepreneurs from countries such as Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tunisia are eligible to apply.
The competition is structured into two stages: a national stage where each country selects three winners, and an international stage where these winners compete for the grand prizes.
As noted by Orange, “the OSVP prize has been rewarding innovative start-up projects that use and develop new technologies to make a positive impact in Africa and the Middle East in fields such as education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, or environment”.
Applications must be submitted online via the Orange startup portal.
Prizes and support
The winners of the International Grand Prize will receive substantial financial awards: €25,000 for the first prize, €15,000 for the second, and €10,000 for the third.
The International Women’s Prize also offers €20,000 to support women-led projects to enhance women’s lives. Beyond financial support, winners also benefit from business development assistance within Orange Digital Centres, which can help them expand their ventures beyond national borders.
Orange’s commitment to socio-economic development through the OSVP has supported over 500 entrepreneurs since its inception, with nearly 15,000 applications received. This initiative underscores Orange’s role in fostering regional innovation and entrepreneurship.