Categories

SHE - INNOVATE IN AGRIBUSINESS AWARDS/AGRITECH INNOVATION AWARDS

This Award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate a recognition of the importance of innovation and a proven ability to create, nurture and develop product, service or business model innovations that substantially improve its commercial performance, operational effectiveness or prospects by bringing benefit to the organisation, its customers and other stakeholders. The application can be based on the development of a specific product or service or on the repositioning of the organisation and is not limited solely to innovations of a technological nature. (Open to private and public-sector organisation). Please note this category may be split by turnover into two or three if necessary.

The judges are looking for:

Innovation and creative thinking
Sustainability
Commercial awareness and commercial exposure of products and services
Innovation's positive impact on industry/sector/marketplace
Proof of reduced impact on natural resources/ecosystem

PERSEVERANCE AWARD (AWARD FOR A WOMAN WHO IS DIFFERENTLY ABLED)

The application can be based on the development of a specific product or service or on the repositioning of the organisation and is not limited solely to innovations of a technological nature. (Open to private and public-sector organisations). Please note this category may be split by turnover into two or three if necessary.

The judges are looking for:

Sustainability
Innovation
Quality of product or service
Financial Performance to date
Consistent, profitable growth
Plans for further growth, expansion & diversification

EMERGING STAR IN AGRIBUSINESS AWARD

Recognising the new businesses who are rejuvenating their economy. This award recognises first-class new companies (that have been trading after April 2016) which are changing/disrupting the Agribusiness industry and are on track to be significant players in the future.

The judges are looking for:

Scale of market opportunity identified pre-launch
Exceeding of projected success and growth
Scalability of business
Positive or disruptive impact on industry/sector/marketplace
Examples of quality customer engagement
Product/service innovation
Future strategy and scale of vision for the company’s development

COVID-19 RESILIENT AWARD

Recognising businesses that have overcome difficulties – and are back on the path to success. The Growing Business Awards judges will be looking here from businesses who have shown resilience in the face of adversity, and how they have managed to get back on track to achieve growth.

The judges are looking for:

ROLE MODEL EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Role Model Excellence Award is for a woman who has developed a novel idea, initiative or campaign from within the agriculture and food sector. The winner will be someone who has made a significant difference that has been modeled by others, especially young people. She should have a track record of training, coaching or mentoring at least 20 women in Agribusiness.

The judges are looking for:

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

It’s awarded to a woman led Agribusiness that can successfully demonstrate innovations by doing something new to their business process or new to their industry.

The judges are looking for:

Innovation & creative thinking (How does it differ from anything that has gone before?)
Creating of a new business unit, product, process or services
Bottom-line results based on this innovation
Financial Performance to date
Plans for further growth, expansion & diversification
Sustainability
How successful it is

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AWARD

This is an Award for any size company that has made changes to improve their environmental impact. This is an ideal platform to promote your efforts towards anything from, waste management, sustainable transport, green energy through to behavioural change. We are also interested to hear about your responsible use of resources during production and service supply chain monitoring.

The judges are looking for:

Innovation and positive impact; new thinking, new procedures, new technologies that make a meaningful contribution to immediate or long-term environmental protection and sustainability
Waste reduction
Energy usage
Processes
How the business improve / lessen their environmental impact

BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION AWARD

The past few years have seen unprecedented challenges for agribusinesses. Many have had to adapt to survive, some with spectacular results. This category aims to acknowledge those successful diversifications and the innovative and transformative teams behind them.

The judges are looking for:

Financial performance of previous market
Barriers that caused diversification
Interest in the new business enlargement
Interest to use the unused business production factors and resources.
Interest to solve problems with marketing current production
Utilization of demand (the identification of demand that has not yet been satisfied (market leaks)

EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the strength and resilience of African women exporters. Entrants for this award must stand out from the crowd on the international stage and demonstrate that they adapted to the effects of Covid-19.

The judges are looking for:

Resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic
Provision of a business description, including the products or services it provides, its customers, and the market in which it operates.
Provision of an overview of turnover, net profit, and net reserves for the last two (2) years.
Growth strategy through international trade.

GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Recognising the most ethical, socially responsible, green business, the winner will be able to demonstrate that this agenda is embedded right throughout their business at every level and what impact this agenda has on their organization.

The judges are looking for:

Demonstrated significant commitment to environmentally friendly policies and practices.
Demonstrated compliance with legal environmental regulations and seeks to lead the way in the fight against climate change.
Environmental Impact Management, for example, lowering carbon emissions or waste reduction and efficiency.
Promotion of green culture at every level.

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award recognises new start-up businesses, under two years old, that have translated an idea into a successful business venture.

The judges are looking for:

Market research including market size, customer profile and competitor analysis
Initial foothold in the market
How their marketing efforts result in new business
Financial performance to date
Plans for further growth, expansion & diversification
Sustainability

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD

We’re looking for an outstanding business that promotes and supports equality, inclusion, disability access and support, community engagement and welfare.

The judges are looking for:

AFRICAN AGRIBUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

This is the overall winner.

This award is aimed at celebrating an agribusiness female entrepreneur whose business has stood the test of time. In addition, this female entrepreneur should be able to employ about 40-50 people and who is also building a sustainable business. She should also have made an impact in society. For example, by supporting startups or other women in agribusiness.

The judges are looking for:

MICRO BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Recognising business with ten or fewer employees. This award celebrates small teams of exceptional quality who are punching above their weight.

The judges are looking for:

YOUNG Agri ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Recognising the dynamic next generation of entrepreneurs, this accepts submissions from those aged 35 or under as of 1st October 2022.

The judges are looking for:

Strong track record of commercial success (in current and/or previous businesses)
Evidence of building a scalable business or brand
Outstanding personal ambition and vision
Evidence of strong and positive leadership
Examples of impacting your industry

ONLINE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Highlighting African businesses who are disrupting their markets and creating new markets maintaining their business entirely online.

This award recognises those challenging traditional industry and business practices, building a successful business through this disruptive activity, and acting as a champion for the new online economy.

The judges are looking for:

Consistent, profitable growth
Scalability of business
Evidence of an original online solution to a sector, market challenge or requirement
Examples of building brand awareness
Examples of quality customer engagement

agriFINTECH BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the best growing companies in the financial services and technology industry. This award recognises those challenging traditional industry and business practices and building a successful growing business through this disruptive activity.

The judges are looking for:

Market leadership (in Africa and, if applicable, internationally)
Product/service innovation
Consistent, profitable growth
Scalability of business
Positive or disruptive impact on industry/sector/marketplace
Examples of quality customer engagement

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Recognising successful businesses where profitability, concern for the environment and social commitment are in harmony. This award celebrates companies who are driving positive change for the people or the planet.Recognising successful businesses where profitability, concern for the environment and social commitment are in harmony. This award celebrates companies who are driving positive change for the people or the planet.

The judges are looking for:

Evidence of driving sustainable change through social and environmental impact
Growth and financial success, in addition to delivering social and environmental benefit
How you have used sustainability to underpin the strategy of the business
Scalability of the business while maintaining a focus on sustainability
Product/service innovation

MARKETING INNOVATION AWARD

The Marketing Innovation award will recognise a business or organisation that has created effective and innovative marketing campaigns. This award will look for those who truly understand their audience and base their marketing strategy on solid data and research. We are looking for marketing concepts which are creative, memorable but also measurable with positive evidence of results. The entrant may have identified a new trend, looked to actively expand their customer base with a new offering as well as understanding the importance of retention of their existing customers.

The judges are looking for:

Clear and identified brief
Clear and focused budget
Clear metrics for tracking the impact
Demonstrated ROI
Stakeholder engagement
Creativity
Focus on a defined audience
Consideration for environmental impact
Positive customer feedback
Part of strategic vision or accidental genius

TECHNOLOGY agribusiness OF THE YEAR/Agritech

Celebrating businesses that have either developed a technology product to sell or businesses that have used technology solutions to disrupt an existing market.

This award recognises companies that make use of – for example – AI, robotics, CRM or automation to grow their business or disrupt an already competitive market. They have either implemented technology in their business or have created technology software which has improved the performance of a multitude of businesses.

The judges are looking for:

Consistent, profitable growth
Scalability of business
Positive or disruptive impact on industry/sector/marketplace by developing technology solutions
Product/service innovation
Strategy behind the development of your technology

LONG SERVICE AWARDS FOR WOMEN AND MEN IN AGRIBUSINESS ACROSS AFRICA.

This Award will be given to the person who has shown excellence and has been a source of inspiration to other farmers across the country. Nominees must have served for at least 5 years in agribusiness. They must be a minimum of 65 years of age. They must have done something for the betterment of society and have caused some change in the agribusiness sector.

The judges are looking for:

AGRIMEDIA AWARD OF THE YEAR.

Celebrating businesses that have either developed a technology product to sell or businesses that have used technology solutions to disrupt an existing market.

The judges are looking for:

INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The business must have been trading for at least 2 years to qualify for entry.

This category recognizes a woman who has broken through the barriers of her home country to take her business into other nations.

The judges are looking for:

AGRI JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR.

This award will recognize the best agriculture writing or production. Candidates must have covered stories on farming practice, policy advocacy, documentaries on agribusiness related issues, trends, research, or innovation.

The judges are looking for:

BEST GOVERNMENT AGRI INITIATIVE

This award is for a government in the sub region which has brought up great policies, workable initiatives to support agriculture/agribusiness in their country.

The judges are looking for:

AGRI FINANCE OF THE YEAR

The agri finance of the year award is for any financial institution that has played a significant role in supporting agriculture and/or agribusiness. The winner must have implemented a project that has delivered measurable and significant improvement in the flow of finance for agriculture and agribusinesses. The bank must demonstrate how it supported the agricultural sector by providing agri-financing, including working with other stakeholders, building the capacity of smallholder farmers, and addressing the needs of agribusinesses

This can include a range of financial activities, from credit facilities to policy support, to shareholding in key players within the industry.

The judges are looking for:

AGRIC INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

This is awarded to an agribusiness innovator, whose inventions, ideas or products in the last year has significantly provided solutions to key challenges in the sector, especially in areas that contribute to increased outputs and revenues for farmers.

The judges are looking for:

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE YEAR

This award is for recognizing research institutes impacting on the community i.e. Agriculture/agribusiness. The institute must have published at least two research papers in a reputed international journal during the last three years. The research papers must be evaluated as “impactful”.

The judges are looking for:

Community impact
Demand driven technology
Mitigating Climate Change
End user satisfaction
Meeting industrial demand
Hunger and malnutrition alleviation

BEST ADVOCACY AWARD

This award is for organizations who advocate on behalf of the agriculture sector. These organizations are helping to shape public policy by providing information and analysis, combining with grassroots organizing and community building. This is to encourage policy advocacy in agriculture/agribusiness. This can include lobbying on behalf of the industry, hosting a conference or forum to advance the cause, or serving as the voice of the industry in the media.

The judges are looking for:

BEST FERTILIZER PRODUCTION AWARD

The judges are looking for:

Community impact
Demand driven technology
Mitigating Climate Change
End user satisfaction
Meeting industrial demand
Hunger and malnutrition alleviation

BEST EQUIPMENT & MACHINERY AWARD

Local manufacturers of agricultural machinery that help make the work in agribusiness easier, faster and more lucrative by improving yield/productivity hence increasing profit.

Machines must be durable, and state of the art.

The judges are looking for:

BEST PACKAGING Agribusiness OF THE YEAR.

This award is for an agribusiness who has gone above and beyond with their packaging. The company must package their products in the most sustainable, eco friendly and waste reducing way to ensure sustainability of their product for years to come.

The judges are looking for:

MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION SUPPORTING AGRIBUSINESS AWARD

Awarded to a microfinance institution that has in the last one year worked to make agri-financing accessible to smallholder farmers, agribusinesses and other value chain actors.

The judges are looking for:

Competitive loan policy
Attractive loans
Loans for farmer groups or co-operatives
Tenure of loans
Collateral not a requirement
Flexible payment system