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During the FINCA Ventures Prize Competition, a dozen African entrepreneurs were selected to share a total of US$400,000 in grant funds. The competition, funded by donors, served as a platform to recognize innovators striving to combat poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Organizer and Purpose: FINCA International, a leading global poverty-fighting organization with a forty-year track record, organized the competition. FINCA Ventures, its investment arm, focuses on supporting emerging companies in sectors such as health, education, financial inclusion, and agriculture across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Awards Criteria and Initiatives: The inaugural awards aimed to acknowledge individuals contributing to the region’s development through initiatives such as enhancing the value of local farmers’ produce, addressing healthcare market gaps, and combating sexual exploitation among female fish traders.
Winners and Grants: The winners, each granted US$70,000 for their organizations, include Angela Odero (Rio Fish)
Ashley Speyer (US partner of Kazi Yetu)
Naom Monari (Bena Care), and Sona Shah (Co-founder of Neopenda).
In the second-place category
Baobaby, CheckUps, Sprout
and Technovera/Pelebox were awarded US$20,000 each.
Third-place winners, Emergency Response Africa, Koolbox, OneHealth, and Sommalife, secured US$10,000 each.
Source: InnovationVillage