Info for Coaches | Past Scholar Cohorts  | 2026 Agenda | Sponsors

Welcome to the ELISA Business Scholars Program

 2026 Call for Applicants
19-22 MARCH 2026 | HWANGE, ZIMBABWE

  • The 3-day business experience brings together a cohort of high potential entrepreneurs or founders of startups with bold business ideas for various industry sectors across Africa.

  • Each scholar is assigned a business leader as their coach for the one-year ELISA Business Scholars Program. With their coaches, scholars attend an immersive training session led by business experts and industry leaders to advance their ideas, refine their business strategy, and create jobs.

  • ELISA Scholars are trained to manage business financials, develop an investor presentation and elevator pitch. After the training session, ELISA Scholars continue to meet virtually with their coaches once a month for a year to ensure continued refinement and implementation of a business plan. They stay connected using the online ELISA portal.

1 JUN 2025

Start of the call for applicants for the 2026 cohort of Scholars


15 DEC 2025

Application deadline
and Scholar selection period begins


15 FEB 2026

final selection & notifications sent to the 2026 cohort


19 - 22 MAR 2026

Scholars & Coaches attend the 2026 ELISA Scholars Training Session

Who may apply
We welcome applicants of any age, sector or gender who are founders of their ventures. You must Create a Profile and login to the ELISA Portal to create your Project Page. Your business, project or idea should primarily operate in Africa and benefit an African economy. You must live in an African country and have the ability to meet with your coach once per month using Whatsapp, Google Meet or Zoom. Alumni of the ELISA Scholars Program cannot reapply.

How are ELISA Scholars selected?
The selection for each ELISA Business Scholars cohort is carried out by a committee of representatives designated by the ELISA Advisory Council. Applicants are scored using a rubric based on predetermined criteria. The final scores are used to determine Scholar Selection. An interview is arranged with each of the top scoring candidates before scholarships are awarded.

Successful applicants receive:

  • 2-day training session and conference materials
  • One year of mentoring from a business coach
  • Conference accommodations and meals
  • Flights booked for you or travel costs reimbursed
  • Access to business leaders & the ELISA Business Summit
  • Lifetime membership to the ELISA business network and virtual events
  • Unlimited access to entrepreneurial content

Need more info about the event?
Visit the attendee info page here: elisanetwork.com/attend

Have a question?
Email us at here: scholars@elisanetwork.com

Be part of something bigger
ELISA is an initiative of ICPD, the International Center for Professional Development, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in the United States. The aim of the ELISA Scholars Program is to embolden Africa focused entrepreneurs and leaders to advance their ideas and create jobs on the continent.

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