- Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program: Personalized technical guidance and masterclasses for hardware-focused startups.
- Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Africa: Equity-free funding up to $100,000, Google Cloud credits, and mentorship.
- Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Program: $5,000 seed funding, 12-week training, and access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurial network.
- MEST Africa: A 12-month, fully-funded training program in Ghana with potential $100,000 seed funding.
- Seedstars Africa: Mentorship for early-stage tech startups with a focus on scalability and market expansion.
- Impact Hub Mentorship Programs: Combines one-on-one mentoring with coworking spaces and networking.
- African Leadership Academy (ALA) – Anzisha Prize: A 3-year fellowship for young entrepreneurs aged 15-22, offering training, funding, and media exposure.
These programs address common challenges like limited access to expertise, funding, and market opportunities, empowering startups to scale and thrive. Ready to take the next step? Explore these initiatives to find the right fit for your business.
1. Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program
What the Program Offers
The Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program is a no-equity initiative that connects startups with Qualcomm leaders and engineering experts for personalized guidance. It’s designed to help startups tackle common technical and market-entry challenges across Africa.
Participants receive support in areas like product development and intellectual property protection. The program also includes masterclasses on key topics like product management, pitch preparation, and hardware architecture basics. By blending technical know-how with business insights, this program aims to set startups up for success.
Who Can Apply?
The program is open to early-stage startups that meet these criteria:
- Operate within an African country.
- Focus on end-to-end solutions involving hardware and advanced connectivity technologies.
- Show potential for market impact and scalability.
How to Apply and Key Dates
Applications for the 2025 cohort open on December 5, 2024, and close on February 16, 2025. After applications are reviewed, shortlisted startups will participate in interviews during March. The mentorship program runs from April to November, concluding with an exciting Demo Day in December.
To apply, startups need to submit detailed information about their vision, product, team, and current stage via the official program website. Those accepted gain access to Qualcomm’s network of industry leaders, venture capitalists, and investors.
Success Stories
The program has already made a difference for startups like:
- CropScan (Kenya): Developed solar-powered IoT devices for smart farming.
- Cure Bionics (Tunisia): Created smart, 3D-printed prosthetic devices.
These examples highlight how the program helps bring forward-thinking solutions to life.
For startups also looking for funding opportunities, initiatives like the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Africa can be a great complement to this mentorship program.
2. Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Africa
What the Program Offers
The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Africa provides startups with equity-free funding ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, along with $200,000 in Google Cloud credits. Participants also gain access to hands-on mentorship from Google experts. Beyond funding, the program includes workshops and networking events where founders collaborate with Google employees and industry specialists to refine their products, improve marketing strategies, and scale operations effectively.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, startups must meet these criteria:
- Be tech-focused and headquartered in Africa.
- Have at least one Black founder in a leadership role.
- Operate at the seed to Series A stage.
- Offer scalable products with measurable societal impact.
How to Apply and Key Dates
Applications for the 2025 cohort open between Q1 and Q2. The selection process, including reviews and interviews, spans up to three months. Finalists are announced in Q3, with the program officially kicking off in Q4.
Success Stories and Impact
The program has already supported groundbreaking startups like:
- 54gene: Pioneering Africa’s first DNA biobank.
- Zuri Health: A telemedicine platform improving healthcare access across the continent.
In 2023, the program welcomed 60 startups from 13 countries, many of which went on to secure additional funding and create jobs across Africa.
