Pierre Castel Prize 2026

The Pierre Castel Prize 2026 is a pan-African program aimed at promoting innovation on the continent and supporting high-potential entrepreneurs committed to the sustainable transformation of food systems.

🌍 About Pierre Castel Prize

This initiative is designed to:

• Encourage innovation in food systems.
• Support entrepreneurs with measurable economic, social, and environmental impact.
• Foster sustainable development across Africa.

🎁 Benefits of Pierre Castel Prize

National Winners

Each national winner receives:

• €25,000 financial endowment.
• One-year mentorship program.
• One-year personalized coaching.

Pan-African Laureate

In addition to the 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 role as an Ambassador of the Pierre Castel Prize.
• International Events: Support for participation in key international events.
• Media Spotlight: Pan-African visibility.

Finalists

Finalists gain access to resources to strengthen their skills and integrate into a collective entrepreneurial dynamic:

• Entrepreneurial Certification Training: Access to e-learning courses offered by the Geneva International Trade Centre (ITC).
• African Builders Network: Integration into a community of entrepreneurs committed to African development.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be 18 to 45 years old.
• Be nationals and residents of one of the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, or the 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.

Additional Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and the ability to serve as an "Ambassador of the Prize".
• An innovative project addressing a concrete need in food systems.
• A strong connection to local economic development.
• Proven entrepreneurial capacity, reflected in the growth and structuring of their company.
• A measurable economic, social, and environmental impact.
• Potential for development and scaling.

📝 Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. A CV.
2. A copy of an identity document.
3. An official document attesting to the legal existence of the company.
4. A presentation of the company.
5. The company's financial elements (balance sheet or operating account for the financial years 2024 and 2025).
6. A presentation of the development project.

📅 Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is 30 May, 2026.

For more details, visit the official Pierre Castel Prize website.

Good luck to all applicants! 🌟

National Winners:

• €25,000 Financial endowment
• One year Mentorship Program
• One year personalized coaching

Pan-African Laureate:

• €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:

• 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.