Innovation Challenge

adopt a mentee to help build back better

Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge

This is an exclusive platform being provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global market place in order to find the required support for their programmes.

entry guidelines

Clearly indicate the following to avoid disqualification:

  1. The vision, uniqueness, authenticity and rationale.
  2. Evidence of innovation in travel & tourism or related industry challenge being solved in Africa – COVID 19 era and into the future (such as technological, social entrepreneurship, educational, youth empowerment and job creation, environmental sustainability, community development, etc.)
  3. The sustainability of the impact of the project on travel and tourism, local communities and/or related industries.
  4. Timelines for the project.
  5. The kind of support required – funding, investors, mentorship, partnerships, etc.
  6. Conclusion/additional, but relevant information of not more than 500 words.
  7. Competitor required to show a demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (5 min) during the presentation.
  8. Age limit – 35 years.
competition timelines
  1. Challenge Opens: 8th December 2022.
  2. Closing date: 14th March 2023.
  3. Adjudicators will shortlist Top 5: 5th April 2023.
  4. Shortlisted project promoters will be informed: 12th April 2023.
  5. Mentorship for elevator pitches (12 hours): 17th April - 16th May 2023.
  6. Submission of shortlisted project promoters: 5-minute presentation at the Summit - 19th May 2023.
  7. Top 3 announced on 2nd June 2023.
  8. Competitor required to show a demo/ Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (5min) during the presentation.
  9. Winners & Runners-up announcement: At ATLF Awards in Gaborone, Botswana on 20 October 2023.
Benefits
  • $1000.00 grant seed for the winner.
  • $500.00 grant seed for 1st & 2nd runner up.
  • Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UNWTO.
  • Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  • Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators.
Benefits
  • $1000.00 grant seed for the winner.
  • $500.00 grant seed for 1st & 2nd runner up.
  • Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UNWTO.
  • Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  • Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators.
Objectives
  • To select top three most innovative projects and present to potential
    funders, partners and mentors
  • To allow parties interested in innovation to connect and do business
  • To create B2B match-making platform for young innovators
Competition Criteria
  • The project promoter must be a citizen of African Union Member
    State
  • Promoter must be between the ages of 18 and 35
  • The project must show evidence of innovation
    The project must be solving a challenge relating to Africa’s tourism
    industry
  • The project must be a sustainable and scalable business model
  • The project must show proof of authenticity.
    https://www.tourismleadershipforum.africa/youth-summit-form/
    to sign up now.
Shortlisted and Elevated Pitch
  • Entries – 10 May 2021
  • Deadline for Awards and Competition entries close on 15 June 2021.
  • Adjudicators will shortlist top 5 entries based on an approved scoring
    system – 21 – 30 June 2021
  • Shortlisted project promoters will be informed by 5 July 2021.
  • 360 minutes of Mentorship for elevator pitches – 12 – 26 July 2021
  • Shortlisted projects promoters will make a 5-minute presentation at
    the Summit Announcement of winners and runners-up – 30 July 2021 at 2021
    Africa Tourism Leadership and Awards in Kigali, Rwanda.
Benefits to Winners and Runners-up
  • Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career
    opportunities
  • Part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism, Mentors
    and Innovators

competition entry form

2022
4th africa youth in tourism innovation summit & challenge

1. Introduction (Maximum 300 letters):
2. Project Challenge/Problem statement (Maximum 250 letters):
3. Target audience (Maximum 250 letters):
4. Solution & USP (Maximum: 250 letters):
5. Total addressable market and targeted market % (Maximum: 250 letters):
6. Competitor analysis: (Maximum: 300 letters):
7. Team composition: (Maximum: 150 letters):
8. Financial modelling including investment to date (own skin in the game): (Maximum: 300 letters):
9. Projections: (Maximum: 250 letters):
10. Budget including costs (development, operating etc): (Maximum: 250 letters):
11. Traction: (Maximum: 250 letters):
12. Ask and what will be offered in return: (Maximum: 250 letters):
13. How the ask will be used (Maximum: 250 letters):
14. Timeline for development: (Maximum: 100 letters):
15. Conclusion/additional information: (Maximum: 500 letters):
Competitor required to show a demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the project (5 min) during the presentation.