VP Osibanjo's Birthday: Application begins for up to N1Million MSME Grant for Small Businesses | March8thInitiative

The March 8th Initiative is organised to inspire and promote communal, entrepreneurial and public-spirited endeavours within Nigeria in honour of the birthday of His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON. Last year, 100 young entrepreneurs received business-defining grants that helped grow and advance enterprise.

Recall: VP Osibanjo's Birthday: How to Apply for up to N1 Million Grant as Prof Osibanjo marks 64th Birthday | March 8th Initiative

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo was born on 8th March, 1957 and today he celebrates his 64th birthday. The March8thInitiative is a kind of competition organised by his friends #Friendsofprof to mark his birthday. This Programme commenced last year. Follow #FriendsofProf through Twitter  https://mobile.twitter.com/March8thNG  or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/100735961544153/posts/273282944289453/?app=fbl

This year, the March 8th Initiative is expanding in terms of reach and scope. This year's Entrepreneurship Programme has been re-organised into 4 categories providing more opportunities for young Nigerians between 18 and 35 years old.

Application portal is www.march8th.ng but what matters most is obeying the instructions given in each of the categories. No BVN, No Account Number needed yet. Visit the portal and choose the category that matches your interest or idea.

Entries open at 12.00 am on Monday, the 8th of March, 2021 and close at 11:59pm on Sunday, the 14th of March, 2021.

The Four Categories are:

1. Category 1- My Big Idea Business Challenge - Grant Sum is N100,000

2. Category 2- My Business Support Challenge - Grant Sum is N 250,000

3.Category 3- My Catalyst Support Challenge - Grant Sum is N500,000

4. Category 4- My Bold Innovation Challenge - Grant Sum is N1million

In addition: 

Health Grant Reward: Grant Sum is N1million. Nominate a health professional or worker (Nurse, Doctor, Attendant, etc) in your State who has exhibited compassion, care, professionalism and diligence through the past year.

Note: Instructions MUST be followed strictly to succeed in all the Categories of this programme.

General terms and conditions (applicable to all categories). Entrants must:

1. Reside in Nigeria.

2. Be aged between 18 to 35 years.

3. Be a registered Nigerian business (excluding Category 1- “My Big Idea Business Challenge”.

4. Apply to one category and do not engage in multiple applications. Applying more than once or in more than one category leads to automatic disqualification.

All entries except those for Category 1-My Big Idea Business Challenge must be submitted at www.march8th.ng. Submit according to the category you are applying for.

1. Category 1- My Big Idea Business Challenge | Grant Sum- N100,000

Do you have a small-scale business that could use some injection for enlarging your inventory, or have an idea that solves a troubling issue in your area? We look forward to reviewing your idea-entry under Category 1 of the 2021 March 8th Entrepreneurship Programme 2020.

Your entry should be in the form of an elevator pitch on video that summarises who you are, what you do, what problem you are trying to solve, and how you would solve the problem with the grant if successful. This video should not exceed 60 seconds.

Entry Criteria

1. Start with your full name and location. 

2. You MUST send your video via WhatsApp to 08095798693

3.  And thereafter upload your video on either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #FriendsOfProf, and tag @march8thng.

Because of the social transformation dimension of the challenge, applicants are required to post their video entries on social media.

Video should be within one minute. Example of Video is at https://youtu.be/4i7iTm37Kkc

2. Category 2- My Business Support Challenge | Grant Sum- N 250,000

Are you a small business looking to expand your current stock, hire staff or acquire basic equipment that would enhance profitability and operational efficiency so you can climb up to the next level of growth? If so, convince us by sending in an abridged business plan in no more than 500 words outlining your ideas, needs and aspirations.

Entry Criteria

1. Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 1 year.

2. Submit a one-page proposal not exceeding 500 words describing your business and how N250, 000 will help it grow.

3. My Catalyst Support Challenge | N500,000

Are you an existing small business looking to expand your current scope either product-wise or geographically? Submit a business plan in no more than 750 words sharing your expansion and funding plans.

Entry Criteria

1. Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 2 years. 

2. Submit a proposal not exceeding 800 words describing your existing business and the new products or services you want to venture into and how you will apply the funds, if successful.

4. My Bold Innovation Challenge | Grant Sum - N1,000,0000

Are you a young entrepreneur with an innovative idea that provides a solution to a common need or promotes sustainability? Does your idea have potential to positively contribute to people, places and profit? If so, convince us by sending a competitive business plan pitching your ideas and the supporting rationale in no more than 1,000 words.

Entry Criteria

1. Business must be registered and must have been in existence for at least 2 years.

2. Write a proposal not exceeding 1,000 words on how N1 Million will help your business advance your innovative idea.

For more informations, kindly follow https://mobile.twitter.com/March8thNG and https://mobile.twitter.com/IlsaAida