Introduction
Why this competition matters
In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, an estimated 10–12 million young people enter the labour market each year, yet only around 3 million formal sector jobs are being created. At the same time, global labour shortages exist in regions like Europe, the Gulf and Asia, creating corridors of opportunity if matched responsibly. This competition is about more than funding — it’s about systems: connecting mobile workers to employment, protecting rights, enabling migration with dignity.
As a startup founder in Africa or Asia — or someone working with displaced populations — this competition can provide:
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A $10,000 USD grant for your startup if you are among the top winners.
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Access to tech perks (credits, infrastructure support) worth up to $200,000 via Jobtech Alliance’s partners.
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Mentorship, exposure, and networks tied to labour mobility, migration and job-tech ecosystems.
Because the theme touches refugee & migrant employment, connection to Africa and Asia is also deeply relevant — so if you emphasise that region in your solution, you stand to gain greater impact.
What the competition offers
Benefits overview
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you get and what the competition is looking for:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant amount | $10,000 USD for each of the top 3 startups. |
| Tech perks & credits | Up to $200,000 worth of tech infrastructure, cloud credits, software support for each winning company. |
| Mentorship & network access | Access to Jobtech Alliance, LaMP, IOM, Tech Safari and more — advice on growth, ethics, scaling. |
| Focus area | Cross-border labour mobility: recruitment, migration services, language training, housing/relocation support. |
| Target region | The competition is open especially for startups serving African talent mobility, though global startups with Africa-focus are eligible. |
Comparison: What They Want vs What You Might Have
Here’s a comparison to help you see where your startup stands and where you might need to build:
| Feature | Ideal to Win | How Many Applicants Look |
|---|---|---|
| Registered startup | Legally registered entity (corporation, LLC, or equivalent) | Some traction (MVP, pilot users) preferred |
| Focus on cross-border labour mobility | Platform/service enabling movement of workers, especially from Africa or between Africa & global markets | Ideas, MVPs, or early stage startups accepted |
| Responsible migration practices | Ethical recruitment, transparency, no exploitation, protection of vulnerable populations (e.g. refugees) | Explicit mention in judging criteria |
| Scale & impact potential | Can reach many users, scalable tech, strong business model | Judges look for “impact potential” plus viability |
| Application readiness | A strong pitch deck, clear value proposition, evidence of traction | Many submissions may still be nascent |
| Regional relevance | Strong connection to Africa / Asia in user focus, solution, market opportunity | Focus on Africa emphasised in call for startups |
Understanding where you are (idea vs MVP vs growth) will help you align your submission to maximise your chance.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply
Here’s a detailed, beginner-friendly roadmap to help you submit a competitive application for the competition.
Step 1: Validate your eligibility
Before crafting your submission, check these boxes:
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You have a registered startup entity (ideally in your home country or globally) that offers a platform or service.
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Your solution addresses cross-border labour mobility: for example, recruitment/placement across countries, migrant worker services (housing, compliance, language training), migration enablement.
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You serve or intend to serve users in Africa (or from Africa moving globally) — or have a clear connection with the continent/Asia.
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You accept the competition’s ethical standards: responsible labour migration, transparency, worker protection.
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Ensure you can meet the deadline (for 2025 cycle – 31 October 2025).
Step 2: Craft your story & value proposition
Your startup pitch should clearly articulate:
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Problem: What challenge are you solving in refugee/migrant employment or labour mobility? Use data specific to Africa/Asia.
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Solution: What your product/service does (e.g., digital platform, placement network, credential verification, language training, migrant support).
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Impact & Scalability: How many workers can you reach? What markets/countries will you operate in?
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Business Model / Traction: How will you make money (if you do)? What evidence of traction (users, pilots, partnerships) do you have?
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Ethical & Safe Migration: How do you ensure your services support vulnerable populations (refugees, displaced persons) ethically?
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Team: Who is behind the startup? Why are you the right one to solve this problem?
Step 3: Gather required application materials
Based on published calls, you’ll typically need:
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Startup name, registration details, legal entity information
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One-page summary of your startup (idea, stage, traction)
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Pitch deck (often max ~10 slides) describing problem, solution, market, team, impact, ask
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Proof of market or users (screenshots, metrics, testimonials) if available
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Strategy for refugee/migrant employment service or labour mobility
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Contact details, team bios, key metrics
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Any legal or ethical documents (e.g., migration compliance, labour rights policies)
Step 4: Complete application form
Access the competition’s official portal (via Jobtech Alliance) and fill in:
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Basic startup info (name, country, sector)
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Stage of development (idea/MVP/growth)
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Descriptive fields: problem statement, solution description, market size, scalability, team
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Upload your pitch deck and any supporting documents
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Answer any short-form questions (e.g., “How many users do you have?”, “What is your cross-border focus?”, “What is your refugee or migrant worker component?”)
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Submit before the deadline (e.g., 31 October 2025 for this cycle)
Step 5: Review & shortlisting process
After submission:
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The organisers review applications and shortlist finalists (top 10–20) based on criteria: impact potential, business model viability, innovation.
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Shortlisted startups may be invited to pitch sessions (virtual) for final selection.
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Judges will evaluate: impact to refugee/migrant employment, scalability, sustainability of business model, team strength, ethical framework.
Step 6: Winners announced & follow-up
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Top winners (top 3) receive the $10,000 grant each.
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Winners also gain tech perks (cloud credits, infrastructure) up to $200,000 value.
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Mentorship, networking, and potential for follow-on investment/support for high-potential startups.
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Public announcement typically in early December (for the 2025 cycle)
Step 7: Use the grant effectively
If you win:
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Allocate the $10K to key growth areas — e.g., expanding cross-border network, building refugee/migrant-specific features, user acquisition in African/Asian markets.
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Leverage tech perks and cloud credits to scale your platform cost-efficiently.
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Engage the mentorship network actively — connect with IOM, LaMP, Jobtech Alliance for access to refugee/migrant employment corridors.
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Use your win as credibility — embed “Competition Winner” in your startup materials when seeking further investment or partnerships.
Key Insights & Real-World Examples
Why Africa & Asia matter
Africa is entering a demographic transition: millions of young people will look for employment, and many will consider cross-border or migrant work as a route. At the same time, Asian economies and Gulf states are demanding skilled workers, opening opportunities for platforms that connect supply with demand in a fair, transparent way.
Example: Startups that could win
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A Nigerian startup building a mobile placement platform for refugee health workers relocating to East African markets.
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A Kenyan company offering credential verification + language training + housing services for migrant workers moving to Gulf states.
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An Indian-based platform facilitating migration of displaced Rohingya workers to Malaysia, with built-in ethical recruitment checks and migrant welfare features.
What winners did (based on criteria)
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Strong value proposition: clear focus on refugee/migrant work mobility.
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Evidence of traction: pilot user base, partnerships with employers abroad, or collaborations with diaspora networks.
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Innovation: new tech or business model (e.g., AI matching, blockchain credential verification, mobile micro-finance for migrant workers).
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Scale & replicability: plan for expanding across African continents or between Africa & Asia.
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Ethical and worker-centric design: allowing vulnerable populations (refugees) to benefit, with built-in protection features.
Statement of Purpose / Startup Pitch — Structure
Here’s a recommended structure for your pitch deck or written proposal.
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Cover slide / summary — Your startup’s name, tagline, your mission.
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Problem slide — Statistics showing refugee/migrant employment gap, cross-border mobility challenges in Africa/Asia.
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Solution slide — How your technology/service addresses that problem (platform, training, relocation, compliance).
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Market & Opportunity slide — Size of market (Africa workforce, migrant flows, demand abroad), target countries, growth potential.
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Business Model slide — How you make revenue (subscriptions, placements fees, employer payments), cost structure, unit economics.
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Traction slide — Show MVP, users, pilots, partnerships, clients.
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Impact slide — How many refugee or migrant workers will you serve? How many new jobs? What social or economic impact?
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Team slide — Founders, roles, experience, advisory board.
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Use of Grant slide — If you win the $10K, how you will spend it (e.g., marketing, product development, user acquisition).
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Ethics & Worker Protection slide — Show you comply with responsible migration standards, labour protections, transparency.
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Call to Action — What you want (grant funding, mentorship, cloud credits) and how you will deliver results.
Your written statement in the application can follow a similar structure but in narrative form, weaving in your passion, story, and why your startup matters.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Vague problem statement | Judges can’t see the unique challenge you’re addressing. | Use specific data (region, refugee/migrant statistic) and show your platform’s edge. |
| Lack of traction or evidence | Biz model looks weak or untested. | Include even small pilot users, early clients, or MVP metrics. |
| Ignoring refuge/migrant focus | The competition emphasises refugee/migrant employment; generic job-tech may not stand out. | Make refugee & migrant dimension explicit: services, partnerships, outcomes. |
| Weak business model | Judges question sustainability and scalability. | Clearly articulate how you make revenue and scale across borders. |
| Minimal ethics / compliance mention | At risk of being considered unsafe or exploitative. | Dedicate a slide or section to ethical recruitment, worker protections. |
| Submitting past deadline / poor format | Your entry can be rejected automatically. | Prepare ahead, check deadlines, use the correct pitch deck format, proofread. |
| Over-ambitious promises without plan | It undermines credibility. | Keep the scale ambitious but realistic; show how you will deliver with the $10K. |
FAQs (Concise but Useful)
Q: Who can apply?
A: Registered startups (any development stage: idea, MVP, growth) with a solution focused on cross-border labour mobility, especially for African workers.
Q: What is the prize?
A: Top 3 startups win a $10,000 USD grant each, tech perks worth up to $200,000, plus mentorship/support.
Q: Are individuals or non-registered entities eligible?
A: No — you must be a registered startup/business. Individuals or only idea concepts without entity may be disqualified.
Q: Can a startup outside Africa apply?
A: Yes, but your solution should serve mobility of African talent (or Africa-global corridors). On-the-ground presence or focus on Africa is strongly preferred.
Q: When is the deadline?
A: For the 2025 cycle, deadline is 31 October 2025. Check official competition page for updates.
Q: What documents do I submit?
A: Startup details, pitch deck (max ~10 slides), proof of registration, traction evidence, problem/solution description, team information.
Conclusion & Call to Action
If you’re building or scaling a startup in Africa or Asia to help refugees and migrants access meaningful work across borders — this is your moment. The Jobtech Alliance’s Cross-Border Jobs Startup Competition provides not just funding, but mentorship, tech support and exposure.
👉 Start today:
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Make sure you’re eligible (registered startup, cross-border mobility focus).
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Draft your pitch deck following the structure above.
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Pull together your traction or pilot data.
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Submit your application by the deadline (31 October 2025 for the current cycle).
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Use the grant strategically to scale impact: more jobs, safer migration, better livelihoods.
“Your startup can become the bridge between African talent and global opportunity — this competition could be the spark that ignites your growth.”
Get moving now, and apply with purpose, clarity, and impact.
