Wimbart, the Public Relations agency specialising in Africa & emerging markets, has launched its first edition of Wimbart Office Hours, a webinar and mentorship programme designed to equip African start-ups with the PR tools required to achieve their business goals. Targeted at early-stage start-ups, and with a focus on companies building tech solutions for Africans on the continent or the Diaspora, 20 start-ups will be selected by the Wimbart team to participate in the free programme. Applications to be part of the first cohort are now open.
Wimbart is one of the most active PR agencies focussing on technology companies on the continent, with clients that include Andela, IROKOtv, Kobo360, and 54gene. With the launch of Wimbart Office Hours, the team hopes to build a broader understanding of how PR and communications should be an integral part to all African tech start-ups’ planning and growth, helping them realise their vision as they scale.
Successful applicants will join an in-depth all-cohort PR webinar + Q&A with the agency’s founder and Managing Director Jessica Hope, followed by two dedicated one-on-one office hours sessions where each company will deep dive into communications challenges and questions that are specific to their business needs, to help them attract customers, investment and talent. Eligible startups must be less than two years old, have a minimum viable product available and will have secured investment at no later than a seed-level stage.
Speaking with Innovation Village on the launch and call for applications, Jessica Hope says, “The first edition of Wimbart Office Hours is an opportunity for us to work directly with some early-stage start-ups, helping them to unpick and master how communications and media strategy should be a key part of their growth strategy. The team and I probably speak to 100+ African companies and start-up founders each year, many of whom are unaware of why comms should be on their radar from day one, and unclear on how they can go about developing and executing a PR strategy that supports their business.
“Strategic, tailored PR is critical for start-ups, when it comes to fundraising, attracting customers and talent acquisition, as well as distinguishing yourself in the marketplace. Every company will have these objectives at some point so these aren’t just tools to help you move – these are resources that will always be relevant and we hope to equip our cohort with the skills and ideas they need to get started”.
Tech start-ups interested in applying for the first edition of Wimbart Office Hours can find out more and apply for the programme via the Wimbart website. Applications close at noon UTC on Friday 3rd April and successful companies will be notified on Tuesday 14th April.
