$2 Million African Agritech Prize Now Accepting Applications

As part of the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize programme, a multi-year initiative to channel entrepreneurial minds and investors towards developing technological solutions with a spotlight on Africa, the agri-tech prize is now accepting applications.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize is a global competition rewarding innovative solutions to increase economic value with a prize of $2 million. The programme will encompass a variety of technology prize competitions in different fields such as energy, education, and health, and will commence with agriculture.

The agritech competition will be selecting 25 teams to receive $10,000 to go towards developing small-scale prototypes, over the following six months.

During the final rounds of the competition, teams must demonstrate their entries in field tests, before the judges award a $1 million grand prize, in addition to prize money distributed among second and third place winners. Additionally, a prize is on offer for the most creative use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, and a People’s Choice Prize.

“Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies have the power to solve complicated socio-economic and human problems. In the hands of entrepreneurs, these technologies can turn Africa into a global economic powerhouse and transform the world,” said Dr. Patrice Motsepe, founder and chairman of the Motsepe Foundation.

Teams have until December 8 to register, submit designs and business models.