Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025 ($10,000 Grants)

The Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025 is an initiative of the Jobtech Alliance for African startups working on labor mobility solutions. If you are a startup in African continent building innovative solution to solve mobility issues, application for 2025 edition is now opened and you stand a chance to win $10,000 in grants and additional $200,000 in tech perks, and mentorship from partners like the IOM and LaMP. The competition is searching for startups that improve cross-border job pathways, provide migrant support services, or offer integration tools.

Key Competition Details

What It Is
A collaboration between Jobtech Alliance, Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Tech Safari, and supported by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE).

The goal: find bold solutions that improve labour mobility for Africans — whether that’s connecting workers with employers across borders, improving recruitment practices, offering support services for migrant workers, or tools that simplify the migration journey.

Who Is This For?
Startups that:
Are registered entities (sole proprietorships, LLCs, etc.) — NGOs or informal projects usually won’t qualify.
Opportunities for Youth
Offer solutions for cross-border labour mobility for Africans (within Africa or between Africa and other regions) — this can include recruitment platforms, migrant support (finance, housing, language, compliance), job matching, etc

Can be at any stage: idea, MVP, or growth stage. Having traction helps but isn’t always required.

Adhere to responsible labour migration standards — ethical recruitment, protection of workers, transparency, etc.

Benefits for Startups

Cash Grant: USD 10,000 each for the top 3 startups.
Tech Perks: Access to tech benefits worth up to USD 200,000 (cloud credits, software tools, etc.)
Mentorship & Network
Guidance and exposure via partner organisations (Jobtech Alliance, LaMP, IOM, Tech Safari)
Follow-on Support: For startups showing strong traction, further support and scaling opportunities may follow

How To Apply

1. Prepare a short online application, including a pitch deck (max ~10 slides).
2. Show how your solution addresses cross-border labour mobility challenges
3. Be clear on impact, scalability, usage, and ethical considerations
   
4. Join the Q&A webinar on 17 October if you have questions.
   
5. Ensure you submit on or before 31 October 2025.
6. Where to Apply: Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition

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