Young enterprise, judged with integrity

Young Builders Challenge 2.0

Malawi's national platform for young entrepreneurs turning practical ideas into investable, community-building businesses.

80% judges · 20% verified public support
LIVE
Builders are moving. Applications are coming in. Support is growing.
14Active now
0Applications today
46Public supports today
74,939Total public support
5,683Season applications
28Districts represented
Leading districts
1Lilongwe1,417 2Blantyre1,029 3Mzimba456 Others2,781
Live national activity will appear here as it happens.

Season 1 was real. Season 2 goes national.

The next challenge builds on the people, pitches, judges, and public energy from the first national finals.

A young builder pitching on stage during the Young Builders Challenge Season 1 national finals
Young builders pitching on a national stage
Paul Katema Foundation representative at the Young Builders Challenge Season 1 backdrop
Paul Katema Foundation, on the ground
Judges and audience members following Young Builders Challenge Season 1 presentations
Judges, audience, and public accountability

A clearer path from idea to enterprise

Builders apply by category and business stage. Judges score the substance of each idea, while public votes help show community traction without overpowering the final result.

1

Apply by category

Every Builder enters under a clear sector and maturity stage, so entries are compared fairly.

2

Get judged

Judges review the business idea, practical plan, potential impact, and readiness to grow.

3

Earn votes

Voters open a Builder profile, share the link, and vote from their device.

4

Advance by merit

Final results combine 80% judges scoring and 20% verified public votes.

Builder categories

The challenge now separates Builders by the kind of enterprise they are creating, from farms and fabrication to digital tools and community services.

Agriculture

Crop farming, livestock, poultry, fisheries, irrigation, horticulture, seed production.

1,935 entries · 21,044 votes

Value Addition

Food processing, fabrication, furniture, packaging, local manufacturing, agro-processing.

292 entries · 3,980 votes

Trade & Enterprise

Retail, wholesale, distribution, market trading, e-commerce, rural commerce.

1,257 entries · 10,982 votes

Technical Skills & Services

Welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanics, construction, solar, refrigeration.

735 entries · 10,686 votes

Technology & Innovation

Software, AI, electronics, fintech, digital services.

419 entries · 11,566 votes

Green Economy

Recycling, waste-to-wealth, renewable energy, climate-smart solutions.

80 entries · 1,643 votes

Creative Industries

Fashion, tailoring, music, photography, film, crafts, graphic design.

415 entries · 7,228 votes

Community Solutions

Education, health, sanitation, disability, water and social enterprises.

550 entries · 7,810 votes

Voting that stays useful

Balanced scoring

Judges carry 80% of the result, while verified public votes contribute 20%.

PKF initiatives

Young Builders connects with a wider foundation mission: practical enterprise, agriculture, digital confidence, and local self-reliance.

Paul Katema Foundation representative at the Young Builders Challenge Season 1 backdrop

Young Builders Challenge

A competition platform for young entrepreneurs to apply, receive judging, and build public votes.

Soil Track agriculture work

Soil Track

Agriculture-focused work that supports food systems, model farms, and community production.

Signal Track digital and technical skills

Signal Track

Digital, technical, and vocational skills for young people preparing for self-reliance.

Applications are open. Build your entry today.

Start the national season application and tell us about your business, impact, and MK3 million plan.

Applications are open now Young Builders Challenge Season 2 - 10 days left
Apply Now