7 Tips to consider while applying TEF

Entrepreneurship business pitch

By Amin Dahiry, founder, Rise-Afrika Solutions– TEF entrepreneur cohort 2019

Overview
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is an African non-profit organization founded in 2010 by Tony
O. Elumelu and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, based on his belief that, with the right support,
entrepreneurs can be empowered to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s prosperity and social
development. The Foundation is intent on charting a new course for African philanthropy and does not
operate merely as a grant-awarding organization but provides a holistic system of effective and
intensive support for entrepreneurs through its 7-pillar model. It is a pioneer member of the Global
Impact Investment Rating System (GIIRS). So far, the Foundation has empowered about ten thousand
African entrepreneurs across 54 African countries.

As an entrepreneur in languages and technology domain, I was one of the select cohort in 2019 by
TEF entrepreneurship programme and my business was awarded to $5000 grant of seed capital.

Therefore, being exposed to the nuts and bolts of TEF entrepreneurship programme and undergoing
the overall application process from application to funding stage, I could say at least I have an instinct
experience to what could lead young Afrikan entrepreneur to get accepted in TEF entrepreneurship
and have his hat get fund from TEF.
I will share with you 7 tips to consider while applying to TEF entrepreneurship programme, if you
apply those seven tips on your application stage, rest assured, you will have more chance to be among
the select cohort of 2020.

#1 You Must Have Acceptable Business Stage

Before applying to TEF entrepreneurship programme, you should know the business stage they accept
and whether your business is eligible to their funding criteria.
TEF accepts only a business stage on its Idea generation to three years existence, that means if your
business is on its fourth-year stage, you have no way to be accepted, better to come up with an
interesting business idea and that makes your application process something to put into effort.

#2 Feasible Business/Idea

In most cases, entrepreneurs are obsessed with coming up a feasible or viable business idea, your
business should be feasible one which means your business should be a one that could be started with
$5000 USD grant and could be carried out smoothly and must be sustainable to grow in the future. Do
not let your mind soar into this big world, and do not undermine your potential to make Afrika a hub
for business. Afrika is waiting for your business idea and here is TEF to help you start your idea.

#3 Convincing Elevator Pitch

elevator pitch is a simple way of explaining what your product or service does. It’s called an elevator
pitch because you’re supposed to imagine that you get into an elevator with another person, they ask

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what your company does, and you only have that brief moment in an elevator to give them a
meaningful response.
Write your company services or products in a convincing way, which will catch the evaluators’ eyes
and then they will put your application into the shortlist folder for further evaluation, never make your
company’s services or products something confusing. Who wants that company that could not define
its services or products clearly comrade! Think!

#4 Clear Vision and Mission Statement

Clear Vision and mission statements help a company articulate long-term goals and concepts for a
business and should be considered when crafting new strategic approaches to business problems or
service expansion. The statements summarize strategy in an easily communicated and understandable
format. In your TEF application process, one of the success factors is clear vision and mission
statement of your company; do not trivialize it so that you miss opportunity of becoming TEF
entrepreneur in 2020 to help yourself and community and the whole Afrikaans as well.

#5 Complete Application

When you start your application, do not leave a question unanswered, even if it is not applicable to
you; simply write down “N/A” rather being blank. Carefully think about your application and write
them, take time and save it to gather more information about your company. Do not hesitate to seek
help if you need it, though TEF has simplified its application process by giving vivid examples to
follow.

#6 SDG Compliant Business

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a
“blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” The SDGs, set in 2015 by the United
Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030, are part of UN Resolution
70/1, the 2030 Agenda. Personally, my business falls under 8th SDG which is “Decent Work and
Economic Growth” but you have to carefully find which Goal your business follows.
This will help you have greater chance on standing out from the crowd.
The Sustainable Development Goals are:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reducing Inequality
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life On Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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 17. Partnerships for the Goals

#7 Clear Grammar

TEF accepts English, Portuguese, Arabic and French languages, the most important part of your
application is to write something legible, reasonable and understandable to everyone who reads it, it is
not about how many sentences or words you have written, it is about how it can be justifiable and
comprehensible to the evaluators. If you think your Grammar is not good enough or you may omit
important part, do not be ashamed to seek help, ask one of your networks to help with proofreading
your application before submitting. It is good way to jumpstart your TEF entrepreneurship journey.

TEF application starts January 1 and ends March 1 every year.

To apply 2020 application, follow this link

Website: Riseafrika.com Tell: +251944072283