Pitch n Grow is AWIEF’s flagship annual women entrepreneurship pitch competition programme, designed to identify, develop, and amplify the most promising women-led ventures across Africa.
Through mentorship, training, visibility, and access to opportunities, the programme empowers founders to accelerate their growth and expand their impact.
Open to women entrepreneurs across all African nations.
Theme
Introducing the Pitch n Grow 2026 Theme:
Deep Roots. Digital Futures.
Every edition of Pitch n Grow adopts a strategic theme aligned with AWIEF’s continental priorities and vision for Africa’s future.
For 2026, we are shining a spotlight on Deep Technology and the unique advantage Africa already possesses: deep knowledge of local contexts, deep understanding of communities, and deep experience of challenges that 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 – creating solutions that are locally rooted, globally relevant, and built for lasting impact.
The future is digital. The foundation is Africa.
Competition Tracks
Three tracks. Fair stages.
Businesses compete at appropriate stages with stage-specific milestones, mentoring, and support frameworks.
1. IDEA TRACK
Pre-Venture
A compelling concept with problem understanding.
✓ No minimum revenue required
✓ Prototype / proof-of-concept ready
✓ Under 18 months of operating
✓ Solo founder or small core team (<5)
2. STARTUP TRACK
Early-Stage
Launched venture with active users/customers.
✓ Revenue generated
✓ Formally registered business entity
✓ Operating history: 6 months to 3 years
✓ Dedicated core founding team (≥2)
3. SCALE UP TRACK
Growth-Stage
Proven product-market fit scaling regionally.
✓ Revenue >$500K or institutional funding
✓ Active expansion in ≥2 African states
✓ Operating history: 3+ years
✓ Team size: ≥5 full-time employees
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Pitch n Grow competition, businesses must meet the following requirements:
✓ Applicant must identify as a woman founder or co-founder.
✓ Citizen, resident, or registered operator in one of the African nations.
✓ Venture must be built around a deep technology core (2026 Theme).
✓ Founder must be 18 years of age or older.
✓ Venture primarily serves or targets African localized markets.
✓ Founder commits to attending the in-person pitching Finals in Cape Town, if selected.
Disqualifying factors
× No technology component (e.g. pure offline retail, manual agency services).
× Venture based entirely outside Africa with zero African operational reach.
× The female lead applicant is not a registered legal owner/founder.
Priority Innovation Sectors
Our evaluation rewards ventures applying deep technology to resolve structural African development priorities.
a. AI& Machine Learning
Analytics, predictive modeling and localized AI tools
b. AgriTech
IoT soil sensors, drone crop analysis, and yield tech
c. HealthTech
Telehealth, AI diagnostics & medical device tech
d. Clean Energy
Off-grid solar software, smart grids and batteries
e. Water Tech
Desalination, digital irrigation & climate adaptation
f. Biotech
Synthetic biology, crop resilience and pharmaceuticals
g. FinTech
Cryptographic security, micro-insurance and blockchain
h. Cybersecurity
Digital identity, fraud prevention and data security
i. EdTech
Personalised AI learning & localized skills curation
j. Smart Cities
IoT urban grid management & digital transit routing
k. Circular Economy
Plastics, eco-packaging & e-waste solutions
l. Frontier Tech
Satellite data analytics & autonomous delivery logistics
Program Timeline
Phase I · June 22
Applications Open
Phase II · July 1-7
Orientation Webinars
Phase III · July 15-25
Applications Close (July 20)
Screening (from 200 to 70 Teams)
Phase IV · August 1-28
Training Bootcamp
Phase V · Sept 1-15
First Submission
1st round Judging (virtual)
Phase VI · By Sept 20
Finalists Announced (from 50 to 12 Teams)
Phase VII · Oct 1-31
Mentorship & Pitch Prep
Phase VIII · Nov 10-11
LIVE FINALS @ AWIEF2026 Conference
Benefits & Prizes
✨ Travel support for finalists
🎤 Opportunity to pitch on a global stage
📢 Media and PR exposure
🏆 Cash prizes for winners
