Applications are now open for the 2025 ELISA Business Scholars Program, a fully funded opportunity for African startup founders. This post walks through what the programme offers, who can apply, and how to get in before the August 31 deadline. Don’t skip it if you’re building something bold.
Sometimes, the idea is there. Burning in your head. You’ve even started building it, or at least scribbled the plan on paper. But turning that spark into a real, working business? That part’s tough. No sugar-coating it.
That’s where the ELISA Business Scholars Program steps in. Think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime boost for African entrepreneurs who are trying to build serious stuff.
And now, the 2025 applications are open.
What’s ELISA, and Why Should You Care?
Let’s not drag it. ELISA stands for Emerging Leaders in Innovation, Science and Africa (though the full name rarely gets used). It’s run by the International Center for Professional Development, a non-profit based in the US. But its heart? All Africa.
The idea is simple: if you’re building something bold in Africa, they want to help you get it right — with proper coaching, funding support, and access to people who’ve been in the game long before you.
What Do You Actually Get?
The goodies are not small. Here’s what selected applicants will enjoy:
- A 2-day immersive training session in Zimbabwe
- All travel, feeding and accommodation fully covered
- A full year of mentorship with a business coach
- Monthly virtual check-ins with your coach
- Access to the ELISA Business Summit
- Lifetime membership in the ELISA network
- And plenty of real-life, useful business content — not random YouTube stuff
They even help you fine-tune your pitch and investor decks. Whether you’re pitching from a dusty café in Ibadan or a shared workspace in Kigali, you’ll learn how to talk money with confidence.
Who Can Apply?
This part is wide open, which is rare for most programmes like this.
- No age limit
- No specific gender or sector requirement
- You must be a founder of your startup or business idea
- Your business must be focused on Africa
- You need to be living in Africa
- Must be able to talk with your mentor once a month, using Zoom, Google Meet or even WhatsApp
One catch though — if you’ve done the ELISA programme before, you can’t reapply. Fair is fair.
How to Get In
It’s not hard, but you need to be organised.
- First, create your profile on the ELISA portal
- Then, create your project page — this tells them what your startup or idea is really about
- Finally, submit the main application here: Apply Now
The deadline is August 31, 2025, so no procrastinating. Once that door closes, it closes.