2021 TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION (TEF) GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN
 The application portal is now open for the 2021 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Grant Applications
You are eligible to apply if you have a business idea or a start-up under three years of existence in any sector and in any country across Africa.
In 2020, The Tony Elumelu Foundation clocks 10 years of empowering Entrepreneurs residence in Africa.
The programme generously provides:
- Quality business business training and mentoring opportunity
- non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000
- and global networking opportunities.
The Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses, operating in any sector.
 Beneficiaries from across 54 African countries will receive:
1. Business Training
2. Mentoring
3. $5,000 non-refundable seed capital
4. Global Networking Opportunities
The 2021 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) grants will also focus on the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and Entrepreneurs in Africa whose activities are disrupted by Covid 19.
The application portal opens
The Tony Elumelu Foundation is known for providing empowerment programs and financial support for Africans. More than a decade ago, the program was founded by African investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, in demonstration of his personal commitment to building new generation of successful entrepreneurs across 54 countries of Africa.
2021 TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION (TEF) GRANT place priority on the the economic recovery intervention for Small and Medium Scale enterprises (SMEs) in Africa affected by COVID 19.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE 2021 TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION (TEF) GRANT
All applicants for the 2021 Tony Elumelu Foundation (Tef) Grant will go through 4 phases as enumerated below
- Application Phase
- Training & Mentoring Phase
- Business Plan Submission Phase
- Pitching Phase
- $ 5000 Seed Capital Phase
THEÂ APPLICATION PHASE (January 1 to midnight, March 31, 2021)
In the The application phase, entries are in four categories
(1) Personal information
(2) Commercial information
(3) Cognitive assessment
(4) Declaration section
Note: all applicants will need to have a valid government issued ID and indicate their name on the application form on TEFConnect exactly as it appears on the ID card.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:Â
- Complete all mandatory fields in the online application form on TEFConnect.
- Submit the form
- Attach all the requested documents (valid identity card and photo headshot) and upload the required documents
- Expect Foundation comments.
TEFConnect can only be accessed by a single email account. It is important that all applicants register with an email to which they have regular access to.
ASSESSMENT RESULT FOR THE 2021 TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION (TEF) GRANT:
Based on response and performance in the tests and evaluation carried out in the application stage, applicants will be placed in any of the following 4 categories: Preparatory, Start-Up/ Beginner , Innovatior/ Intermediate , Disruptor/ Advanced
What does the Preparatory category mean?
You do not have the skillset needed to start a business. You will go through the general training on TEFConnect. You will, however, not be eligible for mentorship or seed capital.
What does the Start-Up/ Beginner category mean?
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.
What does the Innovator/ Intermediate category mean?
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.
What does the Disruptor/ Advanced category mean?
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.
THEÂ TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP PHASE
Once shortlisted and placed in the appropriate training path, you will be eligible to take part in our rigorous business training and mentoring sessions. There will be multiple choice questions to track your performance. You will attend a virtual orientation program to learn more about the process and we will share timelines and resources available for you to succeed. The shortlisted entrepreneurs will be given access to join the peer-to-peer support groups.
- Shortlisted entrepreneurs will be expected to complete the business training, answer the quiz at each end of each module.
- The shortlisted applicants after the training will be given the opportunity to develop a BUSINESS PLANÂ
THE BUSINESS PLAN AND FINANCIALS SUBMISSION PHASE
- At the end of the training, you will be required to combine all the knowledge from the trainings into a single cohesive document.
- You will be given a business & financial plan template; this will be in the online resource library. This template will help you create a first draft of your business plan. write a business plan.
 only successful candidates (who complete the MCQs, score above cut off mark and submit a business plan) would be eligible to move on to the next stage: the Pitching phase
This is an opportunity to demonstrate your business knowledge and convince the judge about the feasibility of your business. At the pitching stage, entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas before a panel of judges. Only the successful candidates from the pitching competition will receive seed capital funding and access to the Alumni network to support their business ambitions.
If you successfully complete all the required training requirements and submitted a business plan, but was unsuccessful after the pitching competition, you will receive a training completion certificate and can reapply next year.
Please note that this phase is another key outcome of this training programme and all shortlisted entrepreneurs must go through this phase to be eligible for SEED CAPITAL.
THEÂ SEED CAPITAL PHASE
All entrepreneurs who have successfully completed all the above steps will be required to open business accounts and seed capital will flow into these accounts created. An entrepreneur who is eligible to receive seed funding will be given a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND ACHIEVEMENT from the Foundation.
Read also: GUIDELINES TO APPLY FOR THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION GRANT AND WIN
2 Responses
Have a business idea but lack start off cspital the grant will help a lot to achieve the desired take off…
I have a business idea and if only I can go through your training,acquire adequate knowledge, then have an access to a seed capital,the grant it will help me go a long way in entrepreneurship