ELISA Business Scholars Program 2025 for African Entrepreneurs (Fully-funded to Zimbabwe)

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Applications are open to ELISA Business Scholars Program 2025. The 3-day business experience brings together a cohort of high potential entrepreneurs or founders of startups with bold business ideas for various industry sectors across Africa.

Each scholar is assigned a business leader as their coach for the one-year ELISA Business Scholars Program. With their coaches, scholars attend an immersive training session led by business experts and industry leaders to advance their ideas, refine their business strategy, and create jobs. ELISA Scholars are trained to manage business financials, develop an investor presentation and elevator pitch. After the training session, ELISA Scholars continue to meet virtually with their coaches once a month for a year to ensure continued refinement and implementation of a business plan. They stay connected using the online ELISA portal.

ELISA is an initiative of ICPD, the International Center for Professional Development, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in the United States. The aim of the ELISA Scholars Program is to embolden Africa-focused entrepreneurs and leaders to advance their ideas and create jobs on the continent.

ELISA Business Scholars Program Benefits

Successful applicants receive:

2-day training session and conference materials
One year of mentoring from a business coach
Conference accommodations and meals
Flights booked for you or travel costs reimbursed
Access to business leaders & the ELISA Business Summit
Lifetime membership to the ELISA business network and virtual events
Unlimited access to entrepreneurial content

Eligibility Criteria

Open to applicants of any age, sector or gender who are founders of their ventures.
You must Create a Profile and login to the ELISA Portal to create your Project Page.
Your business, project or idea should primarily operate in Africa and benefit an African economy.
You must live in an African country and have the ability to meet with your coach once per month using WhatsApp, Google Meet or Zoom. Alumni of the ELISA Scholars Program cannot reapply.