Deadline: August 1, 2026
Applications are open for the Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition 2026. The New Venture Competition (NVC) is the flagship pitch competition targeted towards early-stage ventures at the Annual Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) to showcase and celebrate the next-generation of founders building category-defining businesses on the continent and beyond.
This year’s theme (WABF33), “Built by Billions: Africa’s Future on Africa’s Terms” is a statement on the contribution and agency of every African, across the continent and its diaspora, and NVC sits at the heart of this mission. Startups have the chance to win funding (non-dilutive financing) and network with top founders and investors from the African continent. The Top 5 Finalists will pitch their startups to a panel of esteemed judges at the conference.
Prizes
- At WABF32, $30,000 in non-dilutive funding was awarded to the Top 3 Finalists.
Eligibility
Ventures that meet the following criteria are welcome to apply:
- Fewer than 50 full-time employees
- Less than $250,000 raised to date
- Business must have a direct link to Africa (but can be headquartered outside of Africa)
Application
Applications for the WABF33 New Venture Competition are open until August 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Late applications will not be considered. There are no exceptions.
For more information, visit Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition.
