With the creation of the African Social Venture Prize, Orange has pledged to offer its financial assistance and expertise to young companies that put forward innovative projects with a significant social impact.

Actually, Orange already supports the economic and social development of the countries in which it operates. In addition to deploying its infrastructure and providing services, the Group backs innovation that harnesses Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Encouraging the use of ICT to aid development
The African Social Venture Prize will be awarded to three entrepreneurs who offer solutions that use ICT in innovative ways to meet the needs of the poorest populations on the African continent.
Projects may range from banking services to applications in essential areas like healthcare, education and agriculture.

Supporting social entrepreneurs
Orange is committed to financially supporting and offering its expertise to the management of the growing small and midsize companies who are awarded this prize.

In addition to receiving an endowment of between EUR 10,000 and 25,000, the three prize winners will be awarded six months of support from entrepreneurial and ICT experts.

How do I enter?
Any entrepreneur or any legal entity that has been in existence for fewer than two years at the time of the contest may participate at no cost and with no restriction on nationality.  Submitted projects must be designed to be deployed in at least one of the African countries in which Orange operates and must offer technology in an innovative way to help improve the living conditions of the poorest populations.
Applications are accepted from June 8 to September 15, 2011 at starafrica.

Orange operates in 17 African countries and this project fits the Group’s strategy of innovation as well as its Corporate Social Responsibility policy. By encouraging social entrepreneurship, Orange hopes to underscore the role of ICT in the economic and social development of emerging countries.