African startups have been invited to apply for the Silicon Valley-based SU Labs Startup Accelerator, which offers startups utilising the power of “exponential technologies” US$100,000 in funding.
SU Labs is an open innovation campus where large organisations, startups and field impact partners come to use exponentially accelerating and converging technologies to create new sustainable business solutions and tackle the world’s most challenging problems.
It is run by Singularity University, a benefit corporation that runs a variety of programmes to help individuals, businesses, institutions, investors, NGOs and governments understand cutting-edge technologies, and how to utilize them.
The SU Labs Startup Accelerator is designed for entrepreneurs running startups involving concepts such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and synthetic biology, with successful applicants winning a place on the eight-week programme and US$100,000 in funding.
“Starting with a one-week Exponential Thinking Bootcamp, we will guide you through four intense weeks of accelerated learning; covering topics ranging from future forecasting, rapid prototyping, business fundamentals to fundraising,” SU Labs said.
“This is followed by four weeks of time to integrate what you learned and build your product. The program will be capped off by our Demo Night event.”
SU Labs believes its “unique global educational position” provides startups with the opportunity to connect with leaders on business, leadership, product, and marketing development.
“We combine the best that SU has to offer, by giving you unparallelled access to an invested community made up of Fortune 500 companies in our overbooked Corporate Executive Programme, thought leaders enrolled in our Google-sponsored Global Solutions Program, alumni in our international network hubs, and accomplished attendees of the X-Prize/SU/Deloitte joint effort, the Innovation Partnership Programme,” the organisation said.
Aside from the funding, startups also have access to a co-working space at NASA Research Park, in return for between seven and 10 per cent equity. Applications for the Spring 2016 cohort are open until February 19.
