Orange, a leading telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) which supports the development of new digital services, has opened submissions for the 14th Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP), beginning on Monday 18th March 2024.
Entrepreneurs from the 17 countries within Orange’s footprint are invited to submit their innovative start-up projects with a positive societal impact.
The OSVP, established in 2011, aims to recognise and reward start-ups leveraging new technologies to address challenges in various sectors including education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, and the environment. By fostering social and environmental innovation, Orange seeks to contribute to socio-economic development and support entrepreneurship in MEA regions.
The competition unfolds in two stages:
- National Stage: From March to May 2024, applications will be collected in Orange’s 17 subsidiaries across Africa and the Middle East. A panel of judges comprising members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and Orange representatives will select the national winners.
- International Stage: Each subsidiary will present the projects of its three winners along with those competing for the International Women’s Prize. A committee of Group employees will evaluate the projects, choosing ten finalists for the International Grand Prize, and five for the International Women’s Prize.
In October 2024, a final jury consisting of prominent figures from the tech and entrepreneurship spheres in Africa and the Middle East will select the winners. The prizes include:
• €25,000 for the 1st prize winner.
• €15,000 for the 2nd prize winner.
• €10,000 for the 3rd prize winner.
• €20,000 for the winner of the International Women’s Prize.
Since its inception, OSVP has received over 13,000 applications. Orange has awarded approximately €700,000 in prize money to over fifty winners and provided capacity-building support to around one hundred entrepreneurs. Additionally, OSVP winners will benefit from support at Orange Digital Centers in their respective countries.
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Entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their projects on the official website before the deadline on 26th May, 2024.
About Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 African countries and the Middle East and boasted 149 million customers as at 31st December 2023. With 7.1 billion euros of revenues in 2023, Orange MEA is the first growth area in the Orange group. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer, is available in 17 countries and has more than 90 million customers.
Source: APO Group
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
