Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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No cash prize. Value is in WEF network access, Davos invitation, global visibility, and connected funding. Past awardees report $2M+ in follow-on funding through WEF network connections.
The Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Awards (formerly Social Entrepreneur of the Year) recognize leaders driving systemic change across four categories. Winners join the World Economic Forum community with access to Davos and WEF regional events. No cash prize, but the recognition and network access are considered among the most prestigious in the social innovation space, often leading to $2M+ in connected follow-on funding through WEF networks. The 2026 awards honored 21 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 18 organizations.
Recognition as Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur/Innovator of the Year
Invitation to WEF Annual Meeting in Davos
Access to WEF regional and thematic events
Membership in Schwab Foundation global community of awardees
Global media coverage and visibility
Network access to business leaders, government officials, and investors
Connection to WEF partner ecosystem for follow-on funding
Platform to influence policy and systemic change agendas
2026 focus areas: economic integration of youth, aging populations, gender violence, mental health, innovative finance, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and models combining social impact with environmental action. Broadly covers any form of social innovation driving systemic change.
Leaders and organizations driving systemic change through social innovation. Models that combine social impact with sustainability. Preference for established organizations with proven track records. 2026 focus areas included economic integration of youth, aging populations, gender violence, mental health, innovative finance, LGBTQ+, and models combining social and environmental impact.
Lifetime membership in the Schwab Foundation community. Ongoing invitations to WEF events. Access to WEF's global network of leaders. Platform for thought leadership and advocacy. Connection to other awardees for collaboration.
2026 cycle is complete. This is a recognition award, not a funding instrument — no cash prize. Highly competitive with very few slots. Best suited for established organizations with proven scale, not early-stage startups.
The real value is the WEF network — past awardees report $2M+ in connected funding through introductions at Davos and WEF events. African social entrepreneurs are well-represented: 2026 finalists included Ilifa Labantwana (South Africa), PACJA (Pan-Africa), and Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria). Nominations can come from anyone — no limit per nominator. Apply even if you think you are too small; the Foundation seeks diversity of models. The recognition has a compounding effect on fundraising and visibility.
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2026 African awardees/finalists: Olivia Onyemaobi, Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria — biodegradable reusable pads, 22,000 rural women micro-entrepreneurs); Zaheera Mohamed, Ilifa Labantwana (South Africa — early childhood development); Mithika Mwenda & Augustine Njamnshi, PACJA (Pan-Africa — climate justice); SINA - Social Innovation Academy (Uganda). Past global community includes hundreds of social entrepreneurs across decades.