FOYA SOUTHERN AFRICA CELEBRATES ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE

Founders of the Year Awards (FOYA) Southern Africa, a pioneering initiative aimed at recognising and celebrating the innovative contributions of entrepreneurs across the region, hosted its inaugural award ceremony on February 10th at The Venue, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. This milestone event highlights the remarkable achievements of young founders driving startup ventures, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape of Southern Africa.

Established with a core mission to acknowledge and honour young entrepreneurs fostering the development of the African continent through entrepreneurship, FOYA has evolved into a prestigious pan-African platform spanning 12 countries. From Kenya to South Africa, FOYA has consistently championed the spirit of innovation and resilience among emerging founders, providing a platform for them to showcase their talents and initiatives.

Unlike conventional entrepreneurship awards, FOYA distinguishes itself by placing a spotlight on young founders running startups, recognising their potential to drive meaningful change and sustainable growth. Serving as a catalyst within the youthful entrepreneurship ecosystem, FOYA facilitates vital connections between entrepreneurs, investors, not-for-profit leaders, and government officials, fostering collaboration and enabling access to critical resources.

Since its inception in November 2016, the FOYA awards ceremony has been instrumental in nurturing a culture of excellence and innovation among SMEs, inspiring others to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. The awards process for FOYA Southern Africa is inclusive and rigorous, involving open submissions, nominee selection panels, public voting, and executive voting panels. This meticulous process culminates in the identification of category winners in each country and age group, followed by a second phase of voting to determine the overall Founder of the Year winner in each category.