The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) announces the launch of Pitch n Grow, a flagship annual women 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.
Who Can Apply?
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 and Prizes
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
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 22 June 2026
- Orientation Webinars: 1 – 7 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
- Bootcamp: August 2026
- Finalists Announced: 20 September 2026
- Live Finals at AWIEF 2026 Conference, Cape Town, 10 – 11 November 2026
Application Submission
Applications are submitted before 20 July 2026 only through this official link: https://awief.untap.us/pitch-n-grow2026
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.