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Verto, the global fintech leader in enterprise-grade cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and banking solutions, has introduced the Verto Global Business Award—a transformative initiative designed to identify and accelerate the growth of early-stage startups.
Boasting a prize pool of up to $15,000, the award aims to recognize the most promising, sector-agnostic startups with global potential. Recipients will gain access to the necessary resources to scale their operations, break into new markets, and forge connections with international suppliers. This initiative further cements Verto’s commitment to eliminating payment barriers and fostering seamless global trade.
Applications open on February 6, 2025, and are open to startups that have been operational for a maximum of two years in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Entries will be evaluated on criteria such as market impact, innovation, and growth potential. Eligible startups must demonstrate active operations in multiple markets along with established ties to international suppliers.
The winners—comprising a top prize winner, runner-up, and second runner-up—will be announced on October 10, 2025, and will receive awards of $10,000, $3,000, and $2,000 respectively. These funds are intended to drive global expansion and streamline cross-border operations.
Startups are invited to submit their applications online via the provided form.
Speaking on the launch, Ola Oyetayo, CEO and Co-Founder of Verto, said:
“The world today is more connected than ever, and for startups, access to global markets isn’t just an advantage—it’s a game changer. Payments are at the core of this connectivity, and at Verto, we’ve dedicated years to breaking down financial barriers, enabling businesses to send and receive money seamlessly while linking Africa and other emerging markets to the world. The Verto Global Business Award takes our mission a step further by equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with the resources and global recognition they need to scale and compete internationally.”
According to the World Trade Organization, 29% of global GDP is now linked to international trade, a figure that continues to rise. In Africa, intra-continental trade is projected to boost income by $450 billion by 2035, underscoring the vast opportunities and the need for businesses to venture beyond local markets. The Verto Global Business Award is designed to help startups tap into this growth, drive innovation, and support Africa’s broader economic transformation.
Since its inception in 2017, Verto has remained at the forefront of cross-border transactions, empowering businesses of all sizes to make secure, seamless payments, convert between 50 currencies at competitive rates, and send and receive money instantly across more than 200 countries.
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