Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East

March 27, 2024

The Orange Social Venture Prize backs innovative projects that use technology to create social impact in Africa and the Middle East.

Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East

In 2024, Orange remains dedicated to promoting positive change through this award. Entrepreneurs and startups from countries like Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and more are eligible.

They should offer innovative solutions for social and environmental challenges and have a strong drive to make a lasting difference. The prize, amounting to €20,000, is funded by the Group Diversity and Inclusion Department.

Type of Award: Entrepreneurship

Focus of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

The Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 in Africa and the Middle East focuses on Empowering Change. Projects are assessed based on their ability to create social impact, innovation, scalability, and sustainability. Priority is given to initiatives that understand local needs, have a viable business model, and align with the context.

Deadline of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

The deadline to apply for the Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 is May 26, 2024. Applicants should submit their proposals well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for review and evaluation.

Benefits of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East

Empowering Change

Winners of the Orange Social Venture Prize receive various benefits, such as:

Financial Support: Winners obtain funding to advance and expand their projects, enabling them to achieve their goals for social change.
Mentoring and Support: Winners receive guidance and mentorship from experts within the Orange network, assisting them in overcoming obstacles and maximizing their impact.
Visibility and Recognition: Winning projects gain exposure through Orange’s vast network, boosting their visibility and attracting potential partners, investors, and collaborators.
Networking Opportunities: Winners access Orange’s broad network of partners, stakeholders, and fellow social entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Award Amount of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East

For the International Grand Prix:

1st Prize: €25,000
2nd Prize: €15,000
3rd Prize: €10,000

For the International Women’s Prize: €20,000, funded by the Group Diversity and Inclusion Department.

Additionally, support will be provided to the 10 International Grand Prix finalists (including the 3 winners) and the International Women’s Prize winner. This support will include quarterly telephone/video meetings for progress reporting and advice from business and finance professionals. If awarded to a team, the prize will go to the Project team leader who submitted the entry form. If awarded to an organization, it will go to the legal representative.

Eligibility Criteria of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

To qualify for the Orange Social Venture Prize, projects must meet these criteria:

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years old and present a social entrepreneurship project based on New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) in one of the 17 countries specified.

Social Impact: Projects should address specific social or environmental challenges in Africa or the Middle East, using technology to bring about positive change.

Innovation: Projects should showcase innovation in their approach, whether through technology use, business models, or social impact strategies.

Scalability: Projects should have the potential to expand their impact beyond their initial target audience or location.

Sustainability: Projects should have a viable and sustainable business model to ensure long-term effectiveness and impact.

Selection Process of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

The Orange Social Venture Prize selection process comprises two stages. The initial stage, held locally from March to June across 17 Orange subsidiaries, results in each country selecting three winners. The second phase involves these winners competing on an international level. An international jury, drawn from the Orange start-up ecosystem, determines the global winners.
National winners automatically progress to the International Grand Prix, managed by Orange MEA, where three finalists for the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East are chosen.
Regarding the International Women’s Prize, eligible projects must be led by women or offer a technological solution benefiting women. Projects qualifying for the International Grand Prix may also qualify for this prize if they meet the specified criteria. The grand jury then selects the overall winner of the International Women’s Prize within the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East competition.

How to Apply for Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

The application process for the Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 for Africa and the Middle East will ask applicants to provide comprehensive details about their project, including:

Visit the official website of Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 for Africa and the Middle East: [https://www.orange.com/en/osvp](https://www.orange.com/en/osvp).
Create your account on the website under the “Connection” section.
Complete the registration form by clicking on “Submit your candidature” after thoroughly reading the guidelines.
Review your application for any errors or missing information before final submission.
Send your completed application.

Account Creation Process

To register, follow these steps to create an account and provide the necessary information:

Enter your first and last name.
Input your address details.
Provide your email address, both personal and company if applicable.
Optionally, include your phone number.
Upon submission, you’ll receive a password via email, which you can modify later in your account settings. Note that once your account is created, changes to your name, surname, or email address cannot be made.

Documentation Requirements of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East

Preparing Your Registration Documents are as follows:

Project Logo: Graphic representation of your project or company. While not mandatory, it’s recommended to provide an easily identifiable logo for better recognition. Required Format: JPG, PNG, GIF; 150x150px; maximum 200 KB.
Project Overview: Provides insights into your business idea, maturity level, progress, and the project lead’s motivation and skills. Required Format: PDF; maximum 10 MB. The presentation file name should match the project name mentioned in the entry form.

Presentation Content:

Project Summary: 1,000 to 2,000 characters explaining the social/environmental issues your ICT solution addresses.
Market Analysis: Includes segmentation, SWOT analysis, competition overview, and partnership details.
Market Opportunity: Identifies potential market opportunities.
Product/Service Presentation: Describes the proposed product or service.
Management Team: Information about the team managing the project.
Financial Forecasts: Business plan with financial forecasts for three years.
Societal Impact Evaluation: Assesses the impact of the project on society. For the International Women’s Prize, include how the ICT solution positively impacts women.
Optionally, include a video link to support your presentation if available.

Tips for Successful Application of Orange Social Venture 2024 Prize in Africa and the Middle East: Empowering Change

To increase their chances of success, applicants are advised to consider the following tips when preparing their applications for the Orange Social Venture Prize:

Clearly Define Social Impact: Clearly articulate the social or environmental problem your project aims to address and demonstrate how your solution will create meaningful and sustainable change.

Showcase Innovation: Highlight the innovative aspects of your project, whether it’s the use of technology, business model, or approach to social impact. Emphasize what sets your project apart from existing solutions.

Focus on Scalability: Present a clear plan for how your project can scale and replicate its impact, reaching more beneficiaries and expanding its reach over time.

Ensure Sustainability: Develop a viable and sustainable business model that outlines how your project will generate revenue, cover costs, and achieve financial self-sufficiency in the long run.

Provide Evidence and Data: Back up your claims with evidence and data, such as pilot studies, market research, or impact assessments, to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of your project.

Tell Your Story: Use compelling storytelling techniques to engage the judges and convey the passion, vision, and potential of your project. Communicate why your project matters and why you are the right team to execute it.

conclusion:

The Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 in Africa and the Middle East serves as a guiding light for driving change in the region. This initiative nurtures and supports innovative projects, creating positive impacts and advancing social progress. As we envision the future, we expect the winning ventures to bring about transformative outcomes, sparking meaningful change and impacting communities throughout Africa and the Middle East.

FAQs

Who can apply for the Orange Social Venture Prize?

The prize is open to entrepreneurs and startups operating in countries across Africa and the Middle East, who have developed innovative solutions to address social and environmental challenges in their respective communities.

What is the deadline for submissions?

The deadline for submissions for the Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 is [insert deadline here]. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well in advance of the deadline to ensure ample time for review and evaluation.

What are the evaluation criteria for the prize?

Projects are evaluated based on their potential for social impact, innovation, scalability, and sustainability. Priority is given to initiatives that demonstrate a clear understanding of local needs and context, as well as a viable business model.

What are the benefits of winning the Orange Social Venture Prize?

Winners of the prize receive financial support, mentoring, visibility, recognition, and networking opportunities to further develop and scale their projects.

How do I apply for the Orange Social Venture Prize?

Interested applicants can apply by completing the online application form available on the official prize website and submitting the required documentation as outlined.

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