Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) New Venture Competition 2026 for Early-stage Ventures (Up to $30,000 Non-Dilutive Funding)

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Applications are open for Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) New Venture Competition 2026. Hosted annually as part of the Wharton Africa Business Forum, the New Venture Competition provides founders with an opportunity to compete fornon-dilutive funding, gain exposure to leading investors and entrepreneurs, and pitch live at one of the world’s longest-running Africa-focused business conferences.

The New Venture Competition (NVC) is the flagship pitch competition targeted towards early-stage ventures at the Annual Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) to showcase and celebrate the next-generation of founders building category-defining businesses on the continent and beyond.

This year’s theme (WABF33), “Built by Billions: Africa’s Future on Africa’s Terms” is a statement on the contribution and agency of every African, across the continent and its diaspora, and NVC sits at the heart of this mission.

Startups have the chance to win funding (non-dilutive financing) and network with top founders and investors from the African continent. The Top 5 Finalists will pitch their startups to a panel of esteemed judges at the conference.

WABF New Venture Competition Benefits

Participants will get a chance to win up to $30,000 in non-equity financing and network with top founders and investors from across Africa.
Live pitch opportunity at the 33rd Wharton Africa Business Forum
Exposure to leading African investors, founders, operators, and ecosystem leaders.
Visibility among hundreds of conference attendees from across Africa and the global diaspora
Access to one of the largest Africa-focused business networks at the Wharton School

What They looking for

Applications will be evaluated across five dimensions:

Founding Team – Demonstrated execution ability, complementary skills, and a strong track record.
Market & Traction – Evidence of product-market fit, customer validation, and a meaningful market opportunity.
Product & Business Model – A compelling solution with a scalable and commercially sustainable business model.
Impact – Clear contribution toward solving meaningful challenges across Africa, including alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals where applicable.
Clarity & Communication – A persuasive vision, strong storytelling, and a well-structured pitch deck.

Eligibility Criteria for WABF New Venture Competition

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

Fewer than 50 full-time employees
Less thanUSD 250K raised to date
Business has a direct connection to Africa (headquartered on the continent or abroad)