The winner for this year’s edition of the youth entrepreneurship award will walk home with Rwf4m cash prize and a return air ticket to a destination of their choice. 

The Real FinaBank Entrepreneurship Award 2013, being organised by Educat, an entrepreneurship support not-for-profit organisation, is sponsored by FinaBank and KLM Airlines. 

Andreas Norlem, the Educat chief executive officer, said 10 selected youth entrepreneurs, who will compete for the award will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges on November 20. The top three projects will contest for the grand prize. The final winner will be announced on November 22, he added. 

"The winning project receives a cash prize of Rwf4m sponsored by FinaBank, and an air ticket from KLM Airlines for a trip that will benefit their business. They will also get free access to Educat’s real business accelerator programme and the ‘hot desk’ space for six months period, as well as receive mentorship from Grow Movement consultants,” he said.

Aimable Mumararungu, the head of retail banking at FinaBank, said motivating young entrepreneurs is vital to encourage innovation that will foster private sector-driven growth.