BizPlanCompetitions

http://www.diasporamarketplace.org/

Western Union; United States Agency for International Development

Business proposals may be submitted by an individual Diaspora member, a group of Diaspora members, or a Diaspora-owned business based in the United States. They must be implemented in one of the following African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.

Applications are due on February 3, 2012. Those entries chosen as finalists will be asked to submit a detailed business plan some time in Mid-May 2012. Finalists will travel to the African Diaspora Marketplace event, held in Washington, D.C., to present their proposals to an independent journey. Winners will be chosen following face-to-face interviews. 

ADM will award 15-30 winning businesses with matching partnership grants of up to but not exceeding $50,000 with accompanying technical assistance that may be in the range of  $10,000 to $20,000.

The African Diaspora Marketplace encourages sustainable economic growth and employment by supporting U.S.-based African Diaspora entrepreneurs with innovative and high-impact ideas for start-up and established businesses in Africa.