Pierre Castel Prize 2026 (€25,000 prize)

Deadline: May 30, 2026

Applications are open for the Pierre Castel Prize 2026. The Pierre Castel Fund – Acting with Africa, in collaboration with Castel Afrique, is organising the 9th edition of the Pierre Castel Prize, in seven African countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This pan-African program aims to promote innovation on the continent and support high-potential entrepreneurs committed to the sustainable transformation of food systems. The 2026 edition is part of a dynamic of entrepreneurial excellence and distinguishes innovative companies, capable of generating a concrete economic, social and environmental impact, while carrying out a growth ambition on the scale of their market.

Award

National Winners

Each national winner receives the following benefits:

• €25,000: Financial endowment
• One year mentorship program
• One year personalised coaching

Pan-African Laureate

In addition to his or her national endowment, the pan-African winner benefits from:

• €10,000 Additional endowment bringing the total prize to €35,000
• Pan-African Ambassador: A one-year support as an Ambassador of the Pierre Castel Prize
• International events: Support for participation in key international events
• Media spotlight: Pan-African visibility

Finalists: As soon as they are pre-selected, the finalists have access to structuring resources to strengthen their skills and integrate a collective entrepreneurial dynamic.

• Entrepreneurial certification training: Access to e-learning courses offered by the Geneva International Trade Centre (ITC).
• African Builders Network: An integration, from the pre-selection, into a community of entrepreneurs committed to the development of the African continent.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 45 years old;
• Be nationals and residents of one of the countries concerned by this edition: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar or Democratic Republic of Congo;
• Be the founders or co-founders of a legally incorporated company that has been in operation for at least two years;
• Carry out a development project with a measurable economic, social and environmental impact.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and an ability to embody a role as an “Ambassador of the Prize”;
• An innovative project that responds to a concrete need of food systems;
• A strong territorial anchoring and a contribution to local economic development;
• A proven entrepreneurial capacity, reflected in the structuring and growth of the company;
• A measurable economic, social and environmental impact;
• A potential for development and scaling.

Application

Documents to be provided:

• A CV;
• A copy of an identity document;
• An official document attesting to the legal existence of the company;
• A presentation of the company;
• The company’s financial elements (balance sheet or operating account for the financial years 2024 and 2025)
• A presentation of the development project.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Pierre Castel Prize.