The C4DLab at the University of Nairobi has announced it will open applications for its rebranded incubation and acceleration programme the Africa Technology and Innovation Accelerator (AFTIA) next month, accepting applications from students and non-students alike.
Disrupt Africa reported last month on C4DLab’s launch of the Africa Technology and Innovation Accelerator (AFTIA), claiming it to be “forward-looking and radical”. In March, the C4DLab, which launched in 2013, announced it was to function as an incubator-cum-accelerator after concluding a long review of its own activities and rethinking its business model.
The AFTIA programme will run pre-incubation, early-stage acceleration, and growth -stage acceleration programmes, supported by innovation ecosystem partners and faculty.
Applications will open for the first time during next month’s Nairobi Innovation Week, with startups from within and outside the University of Nairobi invited to apply for an early-stage acceleration programme lasting for a maximum of six months.
Prior to admission for acceleration, prospective candidates will need to submit prototypes for vetting.
“Expected to benefit immensely are incubatees from within and outside the university comprising students, alumni, researchers as well as citizens overall,” C4DLab said.
The first growth-stage acceleration call will be made in January next year, as will another call for an early-stage acceleration programme.