For African entrepreneurs ready to pitch their venture on a global stage and secure critical seed funding, the opportunity doesn't get much bigger than this: The Harvard Business School (HBS) Africa Business Club New Venture Competition (NVC) 2026 is now open for applications.
This competition is a prestigious launchpad that connects promising, Africa-focused ventures directly with a global network of venture capitalists (VCs), founders, and industry experts.
The Prize: US$55,000 Total Funding
The HBS NVC 2026 features an impressive US$55,000 total prize pool designed to provide significant non-dilutive capital to the top winners. This funding is crucial for early-stage ventures looking to scale operations, expand their team, and secure initial market traction.
The prize pool is typically distributed across the top three finalists and an audience choice award:
First Place: Substantial non-dilutive capital to fast-track your business.
Top Finalists: Significant funding for further development.
Audience Choice Award: Direct validation and funding from the global audience.
More Than Money: Access to Elite Capital
The real value of the HBS NVC lies not just in the cash, but in the access it provides:
Global VC Exposure: Finalists earn the opportunity to pitch their ventures live during the annual HBS Africa Business Conference, an event attended by leading global and Africa-focused VC funds (including organizations like TLcom Capital, Ventures Platform, and others).
Expert Mentorship: Selected teams gain access to structured mentorship and feedback from seasoned HBS faculty, successful alumni, and industry leaders who guide them in refining their business model and pitch.
Prestige and Validation: Simply reaching the final stage of a competition hosted by the Harvard Business Club provides invaluable prestige, which is essential for raising subsequent funding rounds and attracting top talent.
Who Should Apply? (Eligibility)
This competition targets bold, scalable ventures that are tackling major challenges and opportunities across the continent.
Focus: The venture must be focused on or have a significant impact on Africa.
Stage: It is designed primarily for early-stage startups that have a strong proof-of-concept and are poised for rapid scale.
Team Composition: While specific requirements vary, the competition typically targets teams led by or partnered with individuals who have a strong connection to the African continent or the HBS network. Entrepreneurs running high-impact FinTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, or Renewable Energy ventures are highly encouraged to apply.
The Timeline
The competition timeline is designed to culminate with the annual HBS Africa Business Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in early 2026.
Application deadline: 3rd December 2025
Finals: Finalists are usually selected to pitch in person at the conference.
This is a prime opportunity for serious African founders to gain the capital, mentorship, and global visibility needed to take their venture to the next level. Don't miss your chance to pitch on the world stage.
You can apply here today.