Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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€25,000 grand prize; €20,000 Women's Prize; €15,000 + €10,000 runners-up
The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) is Orange's flagship annual competition supporting entrepreneurs building innovative, high-impact solutions across Africa and the Middle East. Now in its 16th edition, the 2026 competition invites startups from all 17 Orange-operating countries to compete in national rounds, with winners advancing to an international finale in October 2026. Total prize pool: €70,000 across International Grand Prix and International Women's Prize categories.
International Grand Prix - 1st Place
€25,000 cash prize
International Grand Prix - 2nd Place
€15,000 cash prize
International Grand Prix - 3rd Place
€10,000 cash prize
International Women's Prize
€20,000 cash prize plus dedicated business and technical support
Orange Digital Center Mentorship
All finalists receive mentorship and support within Orange Digital Centers
Strategic Partnerships
Access to partnerships for growth, new market opportunities, funding, and expert networks
Visibility
Exposure across Orange's network in 18 African and Middle Eastern countries
Agriculture
Digital solutions improving agricultural productivity, market access, and food security
Education
EdTech solutions expanding access to quality education
Health
HealthTech solutions improving healthcare access and outcomes
Environment
Solutions addressing environmental challenges and sustainability
AI & Emerging Tech
2026 edition particularly targets startups leveraging AI, big data, and cybersecurity for social/environmental impact
Startups with innovative, technology-driven solutions that create positive social and environmental impact in Africa and the Middle East. The 2026 edition particularly values startups leveraging AI, big data, and cybersecurity. Strong Francophone Africa representation given Orange's market presence. Digital/mobile-based solutions have a natural advantage given Orange's telecom network.
Mentorship within Orange Digital Centers. Strategic partnerships for growth. Access to Orange's network for market opportunities, funding connections, and expert knowledge. Business development assistance for all finalists.
Very limited third-party applicant/recipient experience surfaced in the available search results, making it hard to validate responsiveness, application burden, or recipient satisfaction independently.; CLASP appears to operate more as a technical-assistance/program-management nonprofit than a conventional investor, so applicants should verify whether a given facility is a direct grantmaker, an implementing partner, or an intermediary-managed funding window before investing time in an application.
Francophone Africa is heavily represented given Orange's market footprint — startups in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Cameroon have strong representation. The Women's Prize (€20K) is a dedicated category worth targeting if eligible. National competitions are your entry point: 3 winners from each country advance to the international final. Mobile/digital solutions for social impact align perfectly with Orange's telecom DNA. Apply early at poesam.orange.com. Over 17,600 applications received since inception — differentiate with measurable impact data.
2011
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
15 years of winners across 17 countries — over 17,600 applications since 2011