Nadya Eka Lestari
TechInAfrica — The call for applications for les Margaret Award, an award dedicated to business acceleration for women who change the world, has launched. Women entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs from Europe and Africa are welcomed to apply up to February 2nd, 2020.
Initiated in 2013 by DWD and supported by Margaret Hamilton, les Margaret Award highlights major ideas and innovations from committed and inspiring digital women who are disrupting challenges that the society is facing today.
The 4 winners, Margaret Entrepreneur Europe & Africa et Margaret Intrapreneur Europe & Africa, will be revealed during the 8th edition of DWD Europe, on April 21st, 2020, in Paris, France (la Maison de la Radio).
For the first time, les Margaret Award will offer the 4 winners funding to support and accelerate the growth of their business. As part of the DWD’s business acceleration program, the winner will receive funding, media exposition, and development support, for a total value of 1 million euros.
“Through les Margaret Award, we reward creativity, innovation, and audacity. We offer the winners a growth acceleration and a gigantic media exposure in Europe and Africa. With less than 5% of women founders of startups worldwide and access to funding of 2%, it is important to provide financial support to these women who are changing the world,” Delphine Remy-Boutang, CEO the Bureau & DWD, said.
Entrepreneurs must meet several criteria to be eligible, such as a mixed team with at least one woman founder, the use of new technologies to serve a better world, and existing structure in Europe and/or in Africa for less than 5 years.
On the other hand, intrapreneurs must mainly demonstrate that they are developing new growth opportunities within their company based on agile and original methods. This category concerns employees of large and medium-sized companies who have developed a project in agreement with their employer while remaining employed, which may lead to the creation of a startup, but also to other innovative activities and orientations, such as new products, services, technologies, administrative techniques, strategies development.
The jury chaired by Delphine Remy-Boutang, composed of digital experts will deliberate on February the 6th, 2020: Vanessa Chocteau, Head of French IoT program of La Poste group, Bernard Giry, digital, innovation and research advisor of Région Ile-de-France, Cathy Mauzaize, Head of key accounts entity of Microsoft, Morgane Miel, deputy editor in chief of Madame Figaro, Karim Sy, Chairman of Digital Africa, to name a few.
“Being a Margaret is a real boost. We have gained so much visibility… To be rewarded by such a prestigious event has helped with our daily business with contacts and more doors have opened,” said Julie Davico-Pahin, co-founder of Ombrea, winner of les Margaret Award.
The call for applications is open until February 2nd, 2020 at midnight.
Source: africanews.com
