Harvard Business School Club Offers $55,000 to African Startups

The Harvard Business School Africa Business Club has opened applications for its 2027 New Venture Competition, with a total prize pool of $55,000 in non-dilutive funding on offer to early-stage African and Africa-focused startups. Winners keep their equity.

Applications close on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The competition runs as part of the HBS Africa Business Conference, which gathers entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and other stakeholders focused on Africa's economic growth. Selected startups will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and an audience of investors and industry professionals.

What do winners actually get?

The headline attraction is money that costs founders nothing. Startups compete for a share of $55,000 in non-dilutive prize funding, meaning they give up no equity to claim it. That structure matters for young companies trying to preserve ownership through their earliest rounds.

The prize pool is only part of the package. The Africa Business Club lists seven benefits for participants:

• Non-dilutive prize funding — a share of $55,000 with no equity surrendered.
• Harvard MBA consulting — the first 30 applicants may receive pro bono consulting support from Harvard MBA students, subject to availability.
• Mentorship — guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry specialists.
• Pitch preparation — coaching and feedback to sharpen the startup's presentation and business strategy.
• Investor exposure — presentation of the venture to Africa-focused investors, venture capital firms and business leaders.
• Business networking — connections with potential investors, partners and other founders at the HBS Africa Business Conference.
• Post-competition support — selected startups may receive curated networking opportunities, alumni features and additional help through the Africa Business Club network.

The consulting perk rewards speed. Only the first 30 applicants qualify, and only subject to availability.

Who can apply?

The competition targets African founders building businesses that solve problems across the continent. The Africa Business Club sets six eligibility requirements:

• Be an African or Africa-focused entrepreneur.
• Operate a startup with most or all of its business activities based in Africa.
• Have a working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP).
• Have been in operation for less than five years.
• Have raised less than $1 million in external funding.
• Develop a solution with commercial potential and a credible path to growth.

There is no minimum revenue requirement. Startups that have not yet generated revenue can apply, provided they have a prototype or MVP. Previous recipients of funding from the Africa Business Club New Venture Competition or its sponsors are excluded.

Applicants should prepare to explain the problem they are solving, their target customers, the business opportunity and how they intend to grow.

How to apply?

Founders should review the application requirements and submit their entries before the November 12, 2026 deadline. The competition is open to eligible African and Africa-focused startups seeking funding, mentorship and investor exposure.

For a pre-revenue startup with an MVP, the deal structure is unusually clean: $55,000 with no equity attached, plus a route to Harvard-affiliated consulting and Africa-focused investors. Early applicants get the best shot at the full package, since the MBA consulting slots cap at 30 and depend on availability.