The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program is a series of multi-year, multimillion-dollar innovation competitions and programs to advance technological solutions that accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a spotlight on Africa.
The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program mobilizes significant financial and human capital through its inclusive and integrated approach to access and mobility for innovators and startups.
The program’s inclusive ethos provides an equal opportunity for success—irrespective of age, status, education, location, or past achievements.
There will be significant new data captured and ideas generated from the range of innovations and field tests. Innovation competitions are useful tools to accelerate data capture for evidence-based research.
Scaling financial inclusion in Africa
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech will award companies that demonstrate the use of cutting-edge technologies to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets.
Electrifying progress towards the SDGs at scale
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy will reward innovators who expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity in Africa.
The inaugural Milken-Motsepe Prize challenged innovators from around the world to significantly increase value to small and medium-sized farms in Africa through new technologies and agribusiness innovation.
Connecting innovators from all around the world
Join the prize community on the prize portal to connect with entrepreneurs, access free resources and events, and receive more information about our competitions.
A collaboration between the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program seeks to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Its potential impact is endless.
IP & commercialisation: Aftrak is an innovative microgrid solution that integrates energy access with 100% renewable electric agriculture and deep bed farming to boost crop
“Humanitarian aid should never be a challenge for African societies. If we can coordinate and manage production among 33 million smaller holder farmers, we have
Africa’s first solar-powered tractor is undergoing field tests in Malawi. Experts say the hand-operated “Aftrak,” or Africa tractor, could help smallholder farmers improve crop yields.
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that helps people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on the program and our competitions.
730 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005
730 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005