The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) announces the launch of Pitch n Grow, a flagship annual women’s entrepreneurship pitch competition programme for identifying, developing, and amplifying the most promising women-led ventures across all African nations.
Selected finalists will pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town on 10 and 11 November 2026.
Each year, the competition adopts a new strategic theme aligned with AWIEF’s continental priorities. The 2026 theme is “Deep Roots, Digital Futures”.
Africa’s greatest competitive advantage is its depth: deep knowledge of local contexts, deep understanding of communities, and deep experience of challenges the rest of the world is yet to face.
This theme challenges women-led ventures to apply deep technology not as an import, but as a tool grown from African soil.
Thematic Areas
Applications are accepted from women founders and co-founders across Africa who are building ventures in the following priority innovation sectors to solve African development challenges:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- AgriTech
- HealthTech
- Clean Energy
- Water Technology
- Biotech
- FinTech
- Cybersecurity
- EdTech
- Smart Cities
- Circular Economy
- Frontier Technologies
Competition Tracks
Participants can apply to one of three tracks based on their stage of business:
- Pre-Venture – Concept-stage ventures with a prototype or proof of concept.
- Early-Stage – Registered startups with active customers and revenue generation.
- Growth-Stage – Scaling ventures with proven traction and regional expansion.
Benefits of Participation
Selected participants will gain access to:
- Expert-led training bootcamps
- Mentorship from industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs
- Exposure to investors, ecosystem partners, and media
- An opportunity to pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town
- Travel and accommodation support for finalists
- Cash prizes and global recognition
How to Apply
Applications are to be submitted before Monday, July 20, 2026, through the official link.
If you are building the future through innovation and technology, this is your opportunity to showcase your venture on one of Africa’s leading platforms for women entrepreneurs.
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