AfricaTwenty10 is calling for applications for its three-month virtual accelerator programme, which seeks to enable startups to launch in multiple markets.
Applications for the programme, which is supported by the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, Appfrica Venture Capital Fund, Expand HR Services and various innovation spaces across Africa, close on December 10.
AfricaTwenty10 said Africa was booming economically, with one-third of the continent’s countries growing at six per cent or more, and that its programme would seek to solve the problem of growth small companies experience due to the fragmented and small market size in different African countries.
“We aim to balance the companies that we accept to include a fair balance of female led startups, social enterprises along with other profitable and impactful startups,” AfricaTwenty10 said.
The programme is virtual, though it has strategic partnerships with innovation spaces to provide free co-working spaces to startups. It is structured around Microsoft SME4Afrika content with the goal of companies achieving highest investment readiness levels, and will conclude with a demo day allowing startups to pitch to investors all over the world.
Applying startups must have potential for growth and profitability, with AfricaTwenty10 saying it will examine a company’s market potential, business model, product and customer development strategy to evaluate its likelihood of success.
It is also looking for products and services that bring innovation to the education technology and learning market, and will assess the experience of the founding team and how well the team aligns with its business needs and organisational needs.
“We evaluate how the business will impact society and the broader learning environment,” AfricaTwenty10 said. “Overall we are looking for motivated and committed entrepreneurs who are passionate about their businesses. Clarity of expression is also highly valued.”
Those wishing to apply can download an application form here.
