Nairobi’s C4DLab opens AFTIA applications, to invest $5k in each startup

The C4DLab at the University of Nairobi has opened applications for its Africa Technology and Innovation Accelerator (AFTIA) programme, saying it will invest US$5,000 in each startup selected.

Disrupt Africa reported in June on C4DLab’s launch of AFTIA, claiming it to be “forward-looking and radical”, with the incubator using Nairobi Innovation Week to open applications.

The AFTIA programme will run pre-incubation, early-stage acceleration, and growth -stage acceleration programmes, supported by innovation ecosystem partners and faculty.

US$5,000 will be invested in each selected startup, with C4DLab looking for innovations in the areas of fintech, agritech, edtech, govtech and healthtech. Startups must already have working prototypes, and applications are open to both students and non-students.

The early-stage acceleration programme lasts for a maximum of six months, with startups already having undergone incubation elsewhere unable to apply.

“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.