Tefconnect: Ways to Apply for the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (Tefconnect 2023) and be outstanding

Tefconnect 2023: How to Apply for the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (Tefconnect 2023)

Tefconnect: How to Apply for the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (Tefconnect 2023)

Applications for the 7^th cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is now open.

This is a call to all young African entrepreneurs across the continent to apply for the Programme.

About the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)—Africa’s leading philanthropy focused on empowering African entrepreneurs—is looking for the most innovative business ideas across the African continent to apply for its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme.

In just 5 years, the Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries. 

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is the $100million commitment of Tony O. Elumelu, CON, an African investor and philanthropist, to identify, mentor, and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 10 years, with the goal of creating millions of jobs and revenue on the continent.  With the support of partners, the Programme has scaled its commitment beyond its own commitment of funding 10,000 African entrepreneurs.

What the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Offers:

1. Business Training
2. Mentorship
3. $5,000 non-refundable seed capital
4. Global Networking Opportunities

Eligibility/Criteria

• Startup African entrepreneurs based in Africa
• Business at the idea stage are welcome, as well as innovative businesses that have been in existence for less than 3 years
• Business can be in any sector
• Business must have potential to create jobs and revenue on the continent

Timelines:

• January 1, 2023: Application portal opens
• March 31, 2023: Application portal closes; initial longlist is announced to proceed for business training
• April – May: Training & mentorship
• June: Pan-African pitching competitions
• July: Announcement of finalists at the TEF Forum
• August – September: Background Check
• August – December: Seed Funding Disbursement

Selection Process:

1. Following applications, African entrepreneurs will undergo business training.
2. Shortlisted candidates will prepare and submit an updated business plan
3. Top performing entrepreneurs will be shortlisted to go through a pitching phase in all 54 African countries, in English, French, Portuguese or Arabic.
4. Top performers will be selected to receive the $5,000 seed capital.
5. Finalists to receive $5,000 seed capital will be announced at the TEF Forum

About The Programme

1- What is the TEF 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. 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. 

Our milestones outlined below, speak for themselves:

• 1- We have provided training, mentoring and funding to 9,360 African start-ups from 54 African countries, selected from over 300,000 applications.
• 2- We have staged the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs in Lagos, Nigeria.
• 3- 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.
• 4- We have facilitated TEF entrepreneurs with setting up Alumni Country Chapters and Networks across the 54 African countries.
• 5- 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.
• 6- TEF is the founding member of SPARK, launched by President Obama in May 2015 at the White House to promote global entrepreneurship and presented TEF at global entrepreneurship forums: MassChallenge UK launch Feb; Global Entrepreneurship Congress Milan, March; Oxford University African Business Conference, Cambridge African Entrepreneurship Conference; to name a few.
• 7- The Founder led a successful outing for TEF at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland and the World Economic Forum, Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.
• 8- The Foundation has signed several strategic partnerships including: an MOU with the Nigerian Ministry for Information and Culture to invigorate the Nigerian Creative Industries; ECOWAS; International Trade Centre; Africa Development Bank, Microsoft to name but a few.
• 9- We have built Africa’s largest online platform the TEFConnect, which is the go-to destination for African entrepreneurs.

2. 2- What are the 7 pillars of TEF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME?

1. Mentoring
2. Start-up Enterprise Toolkit
3. Online Resources
4. Meetups
5. Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum
6. Seed Capital Funding
7. TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Alumni Network

The pillars have been designed to address the essential needs to ensure success for an African entrepreneur.

3. 3- Why does funding not come first?

We believe that it is important for the TEF entrepreneurs to build a firm foundation for their businesses through mentorship, as well as the learning and networking tools provided by the Foundation. That way, when we do give them funding, they will be able to use the tools they have learned to put it to better use and maximise the benefits for their business.

Programme Eligibility

1- Who can apply?

The programme is open to all citizens and legal residents of any one of the 54 African countries. The proposed business must be registered and operate in Africa.

2- Is there an age restriction for applicants?

Yes. Applicants must be 18 years old and must not be considered a minor in their country of residence.  There is no upper-limit age restriction.

3- 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. Business ideas must be for profit, and must be the original work of those making the submission.

4- 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 3 years old.

5- 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 idea or name.

6- 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.

Programme Application Process

1- How do I apply for the programme?

All applications must be submitted ONLINE through the application platform of the TEFConnect . You must complete an application form by answering a series of mandatory questions.

After submission, you will receive a confirmation email of receipt within 1 working day.

 2- What if my company is a partnership?

Only one nominated person from the business or the partnership may join the programme. You must have consent from all partners, and have and equal or majority share to participate.

 3- Can I apply offline?

No. All applications must be submitted online through the TEFConnect only.

 4- What if English is not my first language?

The application form is in English, French and Portuguese.

 5- What are the important dates and deadlines that I need to be aware of for the application?

The TEFConnect application platform is open from midnight on 1st January, to midnight on 31st March. It will not be possible to submit any applications prior to or after these dates.

 6- What information/identification do I need to provide in my application?

You must answer all the mandatory questions in the application form, and provide accurate and up-to-date information.

 7- How many applicants will be chosen to join the programme?

There are 1,000 places available annually for the applications that are reviewed by Accenture and ultimately selected by the Selection Committee for a placement in the programme

8- Are there application/associated fees?

No. The Tony Elumelu Foundation does not charge any applicants a fee for applying to the programme.

Programme Selection Process

1- How are selected applicants chosen to join the programme?

Selection of the applicants will take place from the close of the Application on March 31st, by the Tony Elumelu Foundation and an independent Selection Committee appointed by the Foundation, against the specified selection criteria.

 2- By what criteria are the applicants to be judged?

All applications will be judged on 5 core criteria, which are:

-Feasibility of the business idea.

– Market Opportunity: knowledge and understanding of the market, customers and competitors for their idea/business.

– Financial Understanding: understanding of the basic financial requirements of running a business, costs and revenues.

– Scalability: Demonstrates potential for replication and growth of their product or service to create jobs and wealth.

– Leadership Potential and Entrepreneurial Skills: Demonstrate leadership potential, capable of attracting people, customers and resources.

 3-The Tony Elumelu Foundation itself is located in Nigeria, does this give preference to Nigerian entrepreneurs?

No. The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is a Pan-African programme and open to business ideas from all the 54 African countries from which we will select the best business ideas for the programme.

4-If my start-up is selected to join the programme, when and how will I be informed?

Successful applicants will be notified on the 15th of April, via the email address designated in the initial application.  The list of selected entrepreneurs will also be posted on the TEF Website.

 5-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)

6- Why was my application unsuccessful?

Since inception we have received over 65,000 applications for the limited spaces on the programme, while we can only accept 1000 entrepreneurs each year. Here are a few possible reasons why your application was not successful:

• – You did not complete the application
• – Your business or idea is more than 3 years old
• – Your business or idea is not based in Africa
• – Your descriptions in one or more sections of the application was not clearly described
• – Your application did not meet other eligibility criteria
• – You scored low in one or more of the selection criteria.

7- How can I improve my chances next year?

Ensure that you review the selection criteria in the next programme cycle and be sure to describe your business plan or idea such that every aspect of the business or idea (i.e. description, market, customer acquisition, financials etc.) is fully covered.

8. 8- Is there a waiting list for Applicants who could join the programme?

Yes there is a waiting list.  If any of the selected 1000 do not claim their places by the set deadline, the next best entrepreneur from the waiting list will be chosen before commencement of the programme cycle.

9-If not selected, can I reapply in another programme cycle?

Yes.  We will open the platform for applications on January 1 every year. Each applicant will be required to put in a fresh application. We believe the elapsed time should serve to refresh your interest in your entrepreneurial objectives, and there might be new developments to include in the application.

Mentorship

1- Who are the TEF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME mentors?

1. The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Mentors are highly experienced professionals, business frontrunners and entrepreneurs with vast knowledge and excellence in their fields, who want to help the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
   1. 2- How do I become a TEF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME mentor/how can I volunteer my services as an experienced entrepreneur?
   2. Experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to volunteer as TEF Entrepreneurship Programme mentors, can apply here.
   3. 3- When do I get a mentor?
   4. All successful applicants will be matched with a mentor from the start of the programme 1^st May until the end of the year/cycle.
   5. 4- Can I choose my own mentor/mentee?
   6. No. Mentors will be assigned to each start-up by the TEF team. Mentors will be assigned based on compatibility criteria such as business/industry experience and country.
   7. 5- Will the mentorship relationship be one-to-one?
   8. Each start-up mentee will have one assigned mentor, although each mentor may have more than one start-up to work with. Mentors will be expected to have a minimum number of contact hours with each start-up mentee.
   9. 6- What is the mentor’s role in my business?
   10. The mentor’s role is to use their vast business knowledge and experience help you succeed in completing the 12-week start-up enterprise toolkit programme, tackle real-life business obstacles and help you to improve your business along the way.
   11. 7-Do I have the same mentor for the entire programme?
   12. Yes. But you will also be able to engage with other entrepreneurs, alumni and mentors on the TEFConnect.
   13. 8-Can I retain the mentorship relationship outside and beyond the programme?
   14. The majority of the mentoring engagement will occur on the TEFConnect. However, if relating externally is in the best interest of your business, it can be coordinated between yourself and your mentor.

Tefconnect 2023: How to Apply for the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (Tefconnect 2023)

Funding

1- How can my business qualify for funding?

Upon completion of the 12-week Start-up Enterprise Toolkit (learning) programme, certification of submitted business plan, provision of required documentation, business bank account, among other requirements, entrepreneurs will qualify for the first stage non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 (terms and conditions apply).

2- What funding options are available?

Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs who successfully complete the programme by meeting stipulated requirements and deadlines will be eligible for funding. There are two stages of funding available to entrepreneurs:

First stage seed capital funding of $5,000 (based on the official Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate)– a non-returnable investment.  Please see Terms and Conditions for clarification.
Second stage capital returnable investment – entrepreneurs will apply and be considered for this based on the viability of their business.

3- Is the initial seed capital amount a fixed sum?

Yes. The initial seed capital funding is fixed at $5,000.

4- How will the funds be dispersed?

The funds will be wired directly into the entrepreneur’s business bank account – personal accounts are not permissible.  For those in UBA countries, the business account must be opened with UBA.

Training

1- Can I complete the Start-up Enterprise Toolkit courses offline?

Yes. It is important to note that although all the course material is hosted on the TEFConnect2023, all assignments are practical (live learning).  You can download the content and refer to it offline.  You must, however, submit the tasks on the TEFConnect and they must be reviewed by your mentor.

2. 2- Are all the courses/tasks in the Start-Up Enterprise Toolkit compulsory?

Yes. Start-ups must complete all tasks in the 12-week programme.

3. 3- Will the Start-Up Enterprise Toolkit be relevant to my business model?

Yes. All the topics covered under the Start-Up Enterprise Toolkit will be relevant to helping you improve your knowledge and practical business skills, no matter the industry.

4- Will the Start-Up Enterprise Toolkit be suited to my schedule?

Yes. Each week you will be given tasks to complete which are applicable to the day-to-day running of your business.

Technology

1- How do I get access to the Mentoring and Learning platform of the TEF Connect?

1. As a beneficiary on TEFConnect, certain aspects of your TEFConnect profile are limited and accessible only to the selected start-ups, mentors, alumni, the TEF team and selected partner organisations.
   2. 2- What can I do on the TEFConnect?
   The entire programme is hosted on the TEFConnect. Your engagement with your mentor and other entrepreneurs is done on the TEFConnect through one-to-one messaging, forums and live chats. The Start-up Enterprise Toolkit learning programme is also hosted on TEFConnect. You will have access to our curated online resources library of case studies, sample business plans, research documents, video presentations, and you can also communicate with members of the TEF Alumni Network.
   3. 3- Can I sign in with my social media accounts?
   Yes. The TEFConnect application platform has a single sign-on functionality and can link with your LinkedIn or Facebook account.
   4. 4- Is the TEFConnect mobile-friendly?
   Yes. The TEFConnect is accessible on your smartphones and tablets.

Security

1- How will my personal information be used?

The name, country and profile of each successful applicant will be made available for PR purposes globally. Each individual will be asked to provide a profile and photo once they join the programme.

2- Who can access/view my profile on the TEFConnect 2023?

The TEFConnect is a closed group, accessible only to the selected start-ups, mentors, alumni, the TEF team and selected partner organisations. Only those within this closed community will be able to view your profile and contact you on the TEFConnect.

3- Will my business’ Intellectual Property be protected?

All information housed on the TEFConnect is considered safe and secure. Intellectual property shared with the Foundation in your application is completely confidential, and only shared amongst the TEF team, designated reviewers and the Selection Committee who have signed confidentiality agreements.

All parties in the programme are held to the highest ethical standards, however, the foundation is not liable for copyright infringement or intellectual property theft among entrepreneurs and mentors. Any individuals found to be in breach of this will be disqualified.

Others

1- How can I contact representatives of the Foundation?

Selected Entrepreneurs and Alumni:

–Contact the TEF admin through TEFConnect
-Applicants and other enquiries:

• – Email (programme@tonyelumelufoundation.org),
• – The contact page on the website

2. 2-How do I stay connected to the Foundation even after I have concluded the programme?

All entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and collected their initial seed capital are automatically enrolled as members of the TEF Alumni Network.

3. 3- What are the benefits of the TEF Alumni Network?

As a member of the TEF Alumni Network, you will have continued access to TEFConnect through “alumni” status (not start-up status). This gives you full access to our online resource library, peer to peer engagement, online and offline events notification and continued affiliation with the Foundation.

4. 4- What happens if there are changes to my business model during the programme?

Applicants are solely responsible for the structure of the business and the team members within it. Once selected to join the programme, entrepreneurs’ businesses cannot be significantly altered or amended.

 5- How much time must I dedicate to the programme?

Selected and confirmed entrepreneurs must be available to commit to the annual programme from May to December in the application year.

6- Is attendance at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum mandatory?

Yes. All selected entrepreneurs must attend the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum in order to remain on the programme.  Extenuating circumstances may be considered for non-attendance.

7. Will I need to fund my travel expenses to attend the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum?

Selected entrepreneurs travel to Nigeria for participation in the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum will be covered by the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Foundation will advise entrepreneurs if this changes.

Mentors who are invited will be required to fund their own travel, unless otherwise agreed.

8. What if I require a visa to enter Nigeria for the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum?

The Tony Elumelu Foundation will provide an endorsement letter and supporting documentation (copy of flight booking, etc.) to make the process of obtaining a visa as smooth as possible.

No reimbursement is possible for visa costs, and you are solely responsible for applying for and securing an adequate visa for your travel. Please see Terms and Conditions

How to Apply

Log on to the multilingual application portal on www.tefconnect.com to sign up today.

Click on “Apply” and fill the form.