Young Builders Challenge 2.0
A Paul Katema Foundation platform for young entrepreneurs building practical businesses across agriculture, technology, trade, technical services, creative work, and community solutions.
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.
Young Builders Challenge Season 2
Young Builders Challenge – Season 2 is the second edition of the Paul Katema Foundation's annual national entrepreneurship programme, designed to identify, mentor, and invest in young Malawians aged 18–35 with promising business ideas or existing businesses with high growth potential. Through a competitive selection process, 10 high-potential Builders will each receive MK3 million in business capital, mentorship, and business development support to help build sustainable enterprises that create jobs and transform communities. 100 days left. Applications open Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00.
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.
Apply by category
Every Builder enters under a clear sector and maturity stage, so entries are compared fairly.
Get judged
Judges review the business idea, practical plan, potential impact, and readiness to grow.
Earn votes
Voters open a Builder profile, share the link, and vote from their device.
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.
Value Addition
Food processing, fabrication, furniture, packaging, local manufacturing, agro-processing.
Trade & Enterprise
Retail, wholesale, distribution, market trading, e-commerce, rural commerce.
Technical Skills & Services
Welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanics, construction, solar, refrigeration.
Technology & Innovation
Software, AI, electronics, fintech, digital services.
Green Economy
Recycling, waste-to-wealth, renewable energy, climate-smart solutions.
Creative Industries
Fashion, tailoring, music, photography, film, crafts, graphic design.
Community Solutions
Education, health, sanitation, disability, water and social enterprises.
Builder spotlight
Public profiles make each Builder easy to inspect, vote for, and share. Here are current entries drawing attention in the featured season.
No Builders listed yet
The next group of Builders will appear here once applications are submitted.
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.
Young Builders Challenge
A competition platform for young entrepreneurs to apply, receive judging, and build public votes.
Soil Track
Agriculture-focused work that supports food systems, model farms, and community production.
Signal Track
Digital, technical, and vocational skills for young people preparing for self-reliance.
Applications open soon. Be ready first.
Leave your WhatsApp number now and prepare your category, district, business story, and capital plan.