Apply for US$5000 funding & training from the 2022 TEFconnect Entrepreneurship Program. 1 Jan-31 March 2022

Deadline: 1 January to 31 March 2022

WHAT IS THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME?

Established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is an African private-sector-led philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.

NB: the application link is at the end of this post

The Foundation’s flagship initiative, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train mentor and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.

In the first year of TEF, we spent more than $8 million of our $100 million commitment – and the results are better than we imagined.

Our milestones outlined below, speak for themselves:

• We have provided training, mentoring and funding to 15,847 African start-ups from 54 African countries, selected from over 800,000 applications.
• We have invested over $80 million USD as seed capital to support the kick-off and growth of businesses.
• We have funded over 6,300 Women-owned businesses across africa.
• We have directly contributed to the empowerment of over 35,000 women across Africa.
• We have assisted in the creation of over 409,000 jobs in Africa.
• Over 100,00 people have benefitted from TEF’s strategic business webinars and masterclasses designed to provide insights on topics that can help entrepreneurs and their businesses.
• 17 UN SDGs through the Entrepreneurship Programme, have been directly impacted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
• We have staged the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs through the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.
• We have travelled across Africa with Founder, Tony Elumelu, introducing the TEF entrepreneurs to their political leaders at the highest levels of government, to bring these entrepreneurs and their challenges to the attention of policymakers who can effect changes that will improve the enabling environment, for not just TEF entrepreneurs but for all entrepreneurs in the respective countries.
• We have facilitated TEF entrepreneurs with setting up Alumni Country Chapters and Networks across the 54 African countries.
• The Foundation has leveraged its access to unique data, to produce original reports to support advocacy agenda to improve the ecosystem for African entrepreneurs:
  Unleashing Africa’s Entrepreneurs: Improving the Enabling Environment for Start-ups; Africans Investing in Africa, collaborated with University of Edinburgh to produce a report on Africapitalism and a Teaching Case Study is being developed by the Bertha Centre, University of Cape Town on the Foundation and its programme.
• We have built Africa’s largest online platform the TEFConnect, which is the go-to destination for African entrepreneurs.

PROGRAMME ELIGIBILITY

Q: How Do I Apply For The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme?

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is open to Africans from all 54 African countries with scalable business ideas or a business that has been operational for no more than 5 years.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and above. Interested applicants may register on TEFConnect.net

Q: Is There An Age Limit?

Applicants must be 18 years of age and above or considered above the age of minors in their country.

Q: Is There A Restriction On The Types Of Business/Industry?

Yes. The programme is not open to research institutions, faith based organisations, value adding trading companies, government contractors and businesses not located in Africa.

Businesses must not adversely affect the environment, lives and property. Existing businesses or business ideas must be for profit, and must be the original work of those making the submission.

Q: Is There A Restriction On The Age Of My Business?

Yes. All businesses must be business ideas or an early stage company, in the range of 0 to 5 years old.

Q: What If I Run Multiple Early-Stage Businesses?

Your application must focus on ONE business only. We advise choosing your best, most feasible/innovative business idea. Selected entrepreneurs are not permitted to apply for future cohorts of the programme, even with a different business or business idea.

Q: Will My Start-Up Be Excluded If I Have A Relation/Family Member Who Works For The TEF?

Yes. Current employees or their family members from the Tony Elumelu Foundation and affiliate companies in the Heirs Holdings Group and UBA Group are not eligible to apply for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, either individually or as part of a team.

Q: Who Is Not Eligible To Participate In The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme?

• – TEF Audit Partners and their Immediate Family Members.
• – Employees of companies affiliated with the Tony Elumelu Foundation who have been involved in the creation or administration of the Programme and their Immediate Family Members.
• – Incomplete and incorrect applications.
• – Applications which contain illegal or unethical Businesses or Business Ideas.

Q: As A TEF Alumni, Can I Apply Again Through Another SME/Start-Up?

No, existing TEF Beneficiaries cannot reapply to the programme after receiving seed capital. For non TEF beneficiaries who have applied to the programme unsuccessfully in the past, you are eligible to re-apply.

PROGRAMME APPLICATION PROCESS

Q: How Do I Apply For The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme?

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is open to Africans from all 54 African countries with scalable business ideas or a business that has been operational for no more than 3 years.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and above. Interested applicants may register on TEFConnect.net

Q: When Does Application To The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Start?

Application commences in January 1 2022.

Q: Is There A Registration Fee To Be Paid Before TEF Application?

A: Kindly note that the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is free for all applicants. The Tony Elumelu Foundation does not engage or work with any third parties to facilitate applications or trainings and will not ask for payment for any aspect of the Programme.

Q: I Have Signed Up On TEFConnect.Net But No Confirmation Email Received

Kindly ensure to check your inbox, spam and junk mailboxes for confirmation emails. Be sure to send an email to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org for any further assistance. 

Q: While Filling My Application On TEFConnect.Net, I Am Unable To Click On ‘’CONTINUE’’ To Move To The Next Part Of My Application?

If you experience any issues with filling your application, kindly send an email to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org with detailed reference either with text, image or video and we will resolve immediately. 

Q: Can I Use A Student ID To Apply?

We are only able to admit government issued ID and any other ID will render the application void.

Q: I Am Unable To Upload My ID/Photo

Kindly ensure that you are uploading a PDF/JPEG document no more than 1mb in size. If issue persists, kindly send a screenshot of the error message to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org

Q: Is There A TEF Number That I Can Call/WhatsApp?

Kindly use the link below to access our WhatsApp. Our team is available 24/7 https://bit.ly/3bFp7De

Q: Who Is Eligible To Apply?

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is open to Africans from all 54 African countries with scalable business ideas or a business that has been operational for no more than 3 years.

Q: What Is The Difference Between TEFConnect.Com And TEFConnect.Net?

Kindly note that both domains are valid and hosts our current programmes. 

Q: What Is The Next Step After Applying On TEFConnect?

Once you have successfully submitted your application, you will be contacted with more details about the training and next steps.

Q: I Am Unable To Log In With My Registered Email Address

If you experience any log-in issues, kindly send an email to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org with detailed reference to the issue and we will resolve immediately. 

Could you explain to us in detail the problems you face when trying to log in?

If you can, please also send us error screenshot.

Q: Can I Reapply After Being Rejected Before?

Yes, we encourage you to reapply to our programme until you are successful. Be sure to visit tefconnect.com for resources that can be helpful to your next application.

Q: Are pregnant or nursing Mothers allowed To apply For TEF Grant? 

Yes, they can.

Q: Is It Possible For Couple To Apply For TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Separately? 

Members of the same family are not allowed to apply to the Programme, doing so would result in disqualification.  

Q: I Have Two Ideas. Can I Submit Them Separately? 

Unfortunately, this is not allowed by the Foundation. Applicants are expected to apply with only one existing business or business idea. Applicants found to have applied multiple times in the same cycle or in different cycles will be disqualified. 

Q: Can I Have A Video Tutorial On ‘’How To Apply’’ For the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme  

A: Kindly follow the link below for a video tutorial on “How To Apply” for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme:  

ENG:  youtu.be/EH556SyKkng  
FRENCH:  youtu.be/JvArDlFLFgk

Q: What Documents Do We Need To Upload When Applying? 

When filling the application form on TEFConnect platform, you will be required to upload a government registered ID and a passport photograph. 

PROGRAMME SELECTION PROCESS

1- How Are Selected Applicants Chosen To Join The Programme?

Selection of the applicants will take place after applicants successfully completes all the stages of the training and successfully take part in the pitch.

The program stages are as follows

1. • Application Phase
2. • Training & Mentorship Phase
3. • Business Plan Submission Phase
4. • Pitching Phase
5. • Seed Capital Phase

 

2- If My Start-Up Is Selected To Join The Programme, When And How Will I Be Informed?

Application phase takes place January 1 to March 31 and applicants receive notification of their status immediately they submit. Please look out for the email.

3- What Happens After The Application?

Once applications are submitted applicants will be placed in the appropriate training path as follows:

PREPARATORY

This means you do not have the skillset needed to start a business. You will go through the general free training on TEFConnect. You will, however, not be eligible for mentorship or seed capital but can reapply the next year.

START-UP/ BEGINNER

This means you are a starter according to the business start-up profiling. You will go through the beginner training modules and you will have access to world class mentors during the programme.

INNOVATIOR/ INTERMEDIATE

This means that you have been profiled to be an intermediate entrepreneur. You have a good potential to be a successful entrepreneur. You will go through the Intermediate training modules and you will have access to world class mentors during the programme.

DISRUPTOR/ ADVANCED

This means that you are or identified to be natural or a seasoned entrepreneur. You will go through the Advanced training modules and you will have access to world class mentors during the programme.

4- What Additional Information Must I Supply Once My Business Is Selected?

If Applicants are offered a place in the Programme, Applicants will be expected to:

1. – Complete a self-declaration form,
2. – Provide proof of valid ID,
3. – Provide a personal bank statement from the past 6 months,
4. – Provide a statement of current personal debts,
5. – Provide a reference from an employer, bank and/or academic institutions;
6. – Provide business bank account details (For UBA present countries, it must be a UBA account).

 Click HERE to apply and for more information about the program