HARAMBEANS ADMISSIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Harambeans are African innovators who have pledged “to work together as one” to unlock the potential of Africa. Over the last decade, Harambeans has spawned a series of tech-enabled unicorns which have collectively generated over 3000 jobs, raised over $2bn from leading VCs around the world.
African innovators interested in becoming Harambeans must submit an application to the Alliance and be interviewed by Harambeans. Candidates who make it past the interview stage are given the designation of Harambean Affiliates and invited to attend the Harambeans Bretton Woods Symposium, where they will be officially recognized as Associates of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance.
The Harambeans Bretton Woods Symposium (HBWS) is the annual gathering of the Alliance and serves as an opportunity to welcome the new Class of Harambeans. It is the place where African Innovators become Harambeans and a collection of strangers become a lifelong family. During this four-day gathering, each new class of Harambeans is immersed in the culture, values, and traditions of our Alliance.
“We will check our road and the nature of our battle, yet in the end, the Africa our generation desires can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is ours.”
The Harambe Bretton Woods Declaration is a solemn document that outlines the beliefs and principles of our Alliance. HBWS participants sign the Declaration at an official signing ceremony in Bretton Woods, which renders official their association to the Alliance.
The declaration is what binds Harambeans together. As per tradition it is signed by every class of Harambeans in the historic Gold Room of the Mount Washington Hotel.
To become Harambeans eligible candidates must be of African birth or origin; currently enrolled in a college or university or be a recent graduate, and be at the early idea stage or advanced stages of a social or business venture focused on or related to Africa.
To gain access to specific opportunities within the Alliance i.e. Fellowships, Prosperity Fund, Scholarships please refer to the specific eligibility criteria for the opportunity.
Early Admission Deadline is September 30, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline is October 31, 2024
If you do not meet the criteria of any of the listed Harambean Opportunities you may still be admitted to the Alliance based on the strength of your venture or idea. Additional opportunities may be available to you upon admission to the Alliance.
Harambeans Admission Questions
Candidates must submit an application consisting of the following completed sections:
- Your Venture
- Progress to Date
- Essays
- Harambean Opportunities
- Mentors
- Recommendations
- Leadership & Work Experience- Awards / Recognition & Skills
- Education
- General Information
- Terms & Conditions
In the Recommendation section of the HBWS application, you will be invited to submit the contact details of two referees.
Once you have completed the recommendation form, your referees will receive an automatic notification to complete the recommendation on your behalf. Please note that your progression to the interview stage is incumbent on the submission of your recommendations. As such encourage your referees to complete the recommendation form by the December 13, 2024 deadline.
Between 20 and 30 applicants are admitted to the Alliance each year.
Only a pre-screened pool of applicants will undergo rounds of interviews with Harambeans.
These opportunities are available only to candidates who have acceded to the Alliance.
Harambeans benefit from our Ecosystem of Opportunities to support their entrepreneurial aspirations, including:
The Harambeans Prosperity Fund is a rules-based co-investment vehicle that leverages Harambe’s investment network to increase capital flows to Harambean-led ventures.
No. Only Harambeans can access the Prosperity Fund and other opportunities. But any African Innovator can become a Harambean.
The 18th annual HBWS will be held tentatively April 11-14, 2025 at MIT, Harvard University and the historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA.
HBWS participants must cover the following costs:
- Flights to and from the symposium
- The registration fee is $250 payable online through the application portal.
- The HBWS Registration Fee will cover transportation and meals for the 3 nights & 4 days of the Symposium.
The HBWS Registration Fee must be paid online two months prior to the start of the HBWS.
Yes. Admitted applicants will receive assistance from the Harambeans Admissions Team to secure travel documentation to the United States and to raise funds for travel to the meeting point at Harvard University from their university and or supporters.