Inspiring Innovation & Creativity 2026 — First Edition: Zambia
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IBC 2026 · First Edition · Zambia / SADC

Where Ideas Become Impact.

The Innovative Beauty Challenge is a Pan-African platform inspiring young African women to transform brilliant ideas, creativity and innovation into ventures that create meaningful impact.

Apply for IBC 2026 Discover IBC
For African Women · 21–31
Built Around Innovation & Creativity
Region SADC · 2026
The Vision
5,000+
Women innovators envisioned across Africa annually.
Innovation · Empowerment · Impact
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What drives us

Our Purpose

IBC exists to inspire innovation and creativity among young African women, creating pathways for ideas to become ventures, opportunities and lasting impact.

Our Mission

Inspire. Equip. Transform.

To inspire innovation and creativity among young African women by providing platforms, mentorship, and opportunities to transform ideas into impactful ventures.

Our Vision

A Thriving Africa

A thriving Africa driven by empowered women innovators shaping sustainable economic growth and transforming communities.

What we stand for

Our Core Values

  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Inclusion & Accessibility
  • Empowerment of Women
  • Integrity & Transparency
  • Community Impact

Building pathways for African women to innovate, create and elevate.

The IBC Story

Our Foundation

The foundation behind a Pan-African initiative built to place innovation, creativity and impact at the heart of women's potential.

About IBC

Redefining Beauty Through Impact

The Innovative Beauty Challenge (IBC) is redefining beauty by placing innovation, creativity, and impact at the center of African women's potential.

Through mentorship, funding opportunities, and global exposure, IBC equips young women to transform ideas into ventures that uplift communities and drive economic growth.

Explore IBC
Innovative Beauty Challenge — Inspiring Innovation and Creativity
Inspiring Innovation & Creativity

Creating pathways from ideas to meaningful impact.

What We Offer

Our Programs

From practical learning and mentorship to funding and global exposure, IBC creates pathways that help young African women turn innovative ideas into meaningful ventures and lasting impact.

Build Your Skills

Training & Workshops

Practical training programs designed to equip women with business, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills.

Learn More →
Learn From Leaders

Mentorship & Coaching

Access to experienced mentors, startup coaches, and industry leaders guiding participants from idea to execution.

Learn More →
Turn Ideas Into Action

Funding & Grants

Providing access to grants, financial support, and opportunities to scale innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.

Learn More →
Go Beyond Borders

Global Exposure

Showcasing participants on international platforms, increasing visibility, networking, and partnership opportunities.

Learn More →
IBC 2026 connects learning, opportunity and visibility to help African women move from ideas to impact.
Innovate. Create. Elevate.
The People Behind IBC

Meet the Team

A dedicated team committed to empowering women, nurturing innovation, and building pathways for lasting impact across Africa.

01
Kefilwe Rasedie — Founder and CEO
Founder

Kefilwe Rasedie

Founder & C.E.O
02
Bavine Opiyo — Co-Founder
Leadership

Bavine Opiyo

Co-Founder
03
Kelvin N. — Program Lead
Programs

Kelvin N.

Program Lead
04
Shayla K. — Operations
Operations

Shayla K.

Operations
People drive impact. IBC brings together leadership, expertise and shared purpose to create opportunities for Africa's next generation of women innovators.
Innovate. Create. Elevate.
Our Ecosystem

Our Partners

Together with organisations, institutions and leaders who share our vision, IBC creates greater opportunities for innovation, empowerment and lasting impact.

Stronger together. Partnerships help connect ideas, expertise, resources and opportunities across Africa and beyond.
Partner IBC Partner 1
Partner IBC Partner 2
Partner IBC Partner 3
Partner IBC Partner 4
Partner IBC Partner 5
Partner IBC Partner 6
Building an ecosystem for impact. IBC welcomes strategic relationships that expand opportunities for women innovators across Africa.
Partner With IBC →
Voices Of Impact

What People Say About IBC

The impact of IBC is best reflected through the voices of women innovators and participants whose ideas, confidence and ambitions continue to grow.

“
Amina K.

Amina K.

Entrepreneur · Kenya

“IBC gave me the confidence and platform to turn my idea into a real business that now supports my family.”

Entrepreneur Voice ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“
Grace M.

Grace M.

Innovator · Uganda

“The mentorship program changed my perspective. I learned how to scale my innovation beyond my village.”

Innovator Voice ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“
Shayla K.

Shayla K.

Program Participant

“IBC is more than a program—it’s a movement empowering African women to lead innovation globally.”

Participant Voice ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Every voice matters. Every idea has the potential to create change. IBC exists to help women move from possibility to impact.
Innovate. Create. Elevate.
The Impact We Envision

Our Impact in Action.

Measuring progress through empowerment, innovation, opportunity, and real-world transformation for African women.

Building a measurable legacy
Innovate. Create. Elevate.

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Women Empowered

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Jobs Created

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African Countries Reached

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Innovations Supported

IBC is building toward a future where thousands of African women have the skills, support, resources, and visibility to transform ideas into meaningful economic and social impact.

Innovate. Create. Elevate.
Need To Know

Frequently Asked Questions.

Everything you need to know about the Innovative Beauty Challenge, our programs, opportunities, and the support available to participants.

IBC 2026

Have a question? Start here.

We've answered some of the most common questions about IBC, from eligibility and applications to mentorship, training, and funding opportunities.

Innovate. Create. Elevate. A platform designed to help African women move from ideas to meaningful impact.

IBC is a platform that empowers African women to transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures through mentorship, funding, and training.

The program is open to young African women with innovative ideas, startups, or community-driven projects.

Yes. Selected participants receive access to grants, seed funding, and investment opportunities to scale their ideas.

No. Even early-stage ideas are welcome as long as they are innovative and have impact potential.

Participants receive mentorship, training workshops, business coaching, and global networking opportunities.

View Full FAQ
Get in touch

Let’s create
impact together.

Whether you are a young woman with an innovative idea, an organisation interested in partnership, or someone seeking more information about IBC 2026, we would love to hear from you.

Contact the IBC Team

We are here
to connect.

Reach out to the IBC 2026 team through any of the contacts below. We welcome enquiries, partnership conversations and programme-related questions.

Kefilwe Rasedie +1 (236) 339-6605 krasedie@yahoo.com
Bavine Opiyo +254 791 349 070 bavinopiyo655@gmail.com
Sharon Munzara +263 782 716 474 sharonmunzara@icloud.com
Innovate. Create. Elevate.

Send us a message

Complete the form below and the IBC team will get back to you.

Your information will only be used to respond to your enquiry and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

IBC Journal

Ideas worth
sharing.

Insights, stories and updates exploring innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and the journeys of African women creating meaningful impact.

View all stories →
Women innovating and creating new solutions
Innovation
April 2026 IBC 2026

Empowering Women Through Innovation

Discover how IBC is creating opportunities for young African women to transform innovative ideas into meaningful ventures and impact.

Read story → 01
Mentorship and entrepreneurship
Mentorship
March 2026 IBC Insights

The Power of Mentorship in Startups

Why guidance, experience and meaningful connections with industry experts can help early-stage ventures grow with confidence.

Read story → 02
Funding opportunities for women innovators
Funding
February 2026 Opportunities

Access to Funding Opportunities

Explore the importance of grants, investment and other funding pathways in helping African women innovators turn promising ideas into sustainable ventures.

Read story → 03

IBC Journal — documenting ideas, journeys and opportunities shaping the next generation of African women innovators.

Innovate. Create. Elevate.

Recognition & Excellence

Celebrating
exceptional impact.

Recognition is part of the journey. IBC celebrates innovation, creativity, leadership and meaningful contributions that help create a stronger future for African women and communities.

Excellence
Innovation
Impact
01
Innovation

Innovation Excellence Award

Recognizing outstanding contributions that demonstrate creativity, innovation and a commitment to empowering women through entrepreneurship.

Explore recognition → Award
02
African Impact

African Impact Recognition

Highlighting initiatives and achievements that demonstrate meaningful, scalable impact for women, communities and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Explore recognition → Recognition
03
Leadership

Global Leadership Recognition

Celebrating leadership that advances inclusive innovation, sustainable opportunity and economic empowerment for women and communities.

Explore recognition → Recognition
Why recognition matters

Recognition helps give visibility to ideas, achievements and people who are contributing to Africa’s innovation and economic future.

IBC philosophy

Innovate. Create. Elevate. — celebrating progress while inspiring the next generation to go further.

Events & Experiences

Connect.
Learn. Create.

Discover IBC events, learning experiences and innovation activities designed to connect women, ideas, mentors and opportunities across Africa.

Innovation
Community
Opportunity
IBC 2026
IBC Innovation Bootcamp
IBC 2026
Ongoing

IBC Innovation Bootcamp

Hands-on training designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their ideas, capabilities and innovation journey.

Africa View details
Startup Mentorship Drive
IBC 2026
Ongoing

Startup Mentorship Drive

Connecting innovators with experienced leaders, mentors and people who can help turn ideas into meaningful opportunities.

Africa View details
Women Tech Accelerator
IBC 2026
Ongoing

Women Tech Accelerator

Supporting women as they develop and strengthen digital innovations with the potential to grow and create impact.

Africa View details
Africa Women Summit
Coming soon
Upcoming

Africa Women Summit

A gathering envisioned to connect women innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs and investment communities.

Africa View details
IBC Pitch Day 2026
2026
Upcoming

IBC Pitch Day 2026

A platform for innovators to present promising ideas and connect with funding, visibility and growth opportunities.

SADC Region View details
Innovation Labs Launch
Coming soon
Upcoming

Innovation Labs Launch

A future-facing platform for supporting women creators, innovators and emerging solutions through collaborative spaces.

Africa View details
IBC Launch Conference
Archive
Completed

IBC Launch Conference

The official launch event introducing the Innovative Beauty Challenge and its vision for African women innovators.

SADC Region View details
Women Empowerment Forum
Archive
Completed

Women Empowerment Forum

A forum bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers around women's empowerment and opportunity.

Africa View details
Startup Funding Workshop
Archive
Completed

Startup Funding Workshop

A learning experience focused on helping innovators understand grants, investment and pathways to sustainable growth.

Africa View details
The IBC experience

Every experience is designed around the IBC spirit: Innovate. Create. Elevate. New events and opportunities can be added here as the 2026 programme develops.

Your Innovation Journey

Your idea
can become impact.

The Innovative Beauty Challenge brings together opportunity, learning, mentorship, visibility and support to help young African women move their ideas forward.

IBC 2026

Take the next step.

Explore the application process and discover how you can begin your IBC journey.

Apply Now
Innovate. Create. Elevate.
Innovative Beauty Challenge · 2026