Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing

🏆 About Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing

This prize calls on established companies in Africa revolutionizing manufacturing value chains in emerging markets by leveraging AI and other emerging technologies. The prize aims to award innovators that demonstrate scalability, improve efficiency, and reduce waste in the manufacturing supply chain using advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: July 04, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Category: Contest
• Eligible Locations: Africa

Prize Overview

• Total Prize Amount: $2 million, including a $1 million Grand Prize.
• Participating companies will gain access to exclusive networking opportunities and the chance to pitch to industry leaders and key decision-makers.

The winning team will demonstrate a scalable innovation across manufacturing value chains that leverages AI to deliver measurable impact in efficiency and waste reduction. Teams will be evaluated on:

• Commercial viability
• Technological integration
• Operational economics
• Market scalability in Africa

The Grand Prize winner will be awarded and celebrated in May 2026.

🎁 Benefits of Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing

1. Application Submission & Semi-Finalist Announcement

   • Teams submit their designs and business models.
   • An independent panel of expert judges will select 10 teams to advance as semi-finalists.
   • Each semi-finalist team will receive $50,000.

2. Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement

   • Semi-finalists will pitch their innovations to industry leaders and decision-makers.
   • A panel of judges will select 5 teams to advance as finalists.
   • Each finalist team will receive $30,000.

3. Grand Prize Submission & Announcement

   • Finalist companies will submit materials for the grand prize submission.
   • The winning team will receive $1 million, the runner-up will receive $250,000, and a team will receive $100,000 for the "Most Advanced Use of 4IR."

✅ Eligibility Criteria

They are seeking companies that meet the following requirements:

• 2+ years in operation
• Series A+ in funding
• Operating in Africa’s manufacturing sector
• Advancing workforce and job growth

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Apply via the Milken-Motsepe Prize Portal.

🌐 Additional Information

For more details, visit the Milken-Motsepe Prize Official Website.

• Application Submission & Semi-Finalist Announcement: Teams submit their designs and business models. An independent panel of expert judges will select 10 teams to advance in the competition as semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist team will then receive $50,000.
• Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement: Semi-Finalists will pitch their innovations to industry leaders and decision-makers. A panel of judges will select five teams to advance as Finalists and receive $30,000 each.
• Grand Prize Submission & Announcement: Finalist companies will submit materials for the grand prize submission (as outlined in the rules). The winning team will receive $1 million, the runner-up will receive a $250,000 Runner-Up prize, and a team will receive $100,000 for the Most Advanced Use of 4IR.