Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy (2026)

About

A $2 million global prize competition for established, technology-enabled companies operating in Africa that scale circular economy solutions, offering stage awards and a $1 million Grand Prize.

Benefits

• 💰Non-dilutive funding
  $2 million total prize pool in non-dilutive capital; ten semifinalists receive $50,000 each in unrestricted funding, and five finalists receive $50,000 each.
• 🏆Grand Prize
  One company receives $1,000,000 and one runner-up receives $250,000, awarded at the 2027 Milken Institute Global Conference.
• 🌍Visibility and networking
  Semifinalists gain opportunities for global visibility, mentorship and investor connections, and to pitch to industry leaders and key decision-makers.

Eligibility Criteria

• Registration
• Free and open globally to applicants who meet the screening criteria, with certain exceptions; participants may be a single individual or a team.
• Operating History
• Mandatory requirement of over two years of continuous operation on the African continent.
• Revenue and Capital
• Mandatory requirement of cumulative revenue and raised capital above $500,000.
• Deployment in Africa
• Mandatory requirement that the solution is currently deployed on the African continent.
• Social Impact
• Mandatory requirement of clear evidence of social impact and job creation.
• Operational Readiness
• Mandatory requirement of demonstrated operational readiness to deploy $1 million or more in funding.
• Partnerships
• Mandatory requirement per the official prize page of institutional, corporate, and/or public-sector partnerships.

Participation Commitments

Prize funding is non-dilutive and registration is free. Semifinalists must pitch their innovations to industry leaders and decision-makers; finalists must submit grand-prize materials through the Prize Portal.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Manufacturing, Real Estate & Construction, Semiconductors & Electronics, Other

Target Location

Global