As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of technology, Resilience17, the venture fund and studio founded by Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, is taking bold steps to accelerate AI innovation in Africa. Through its newly launched Go Time AI accelerator, the firm is offering African startups working on AI-driven solutions up to $200,000 in funding, along with mentorship and technical support.
According to TechCabal, the accelerator, launched in 2024, aims to bridge critical gaps in funding, infrastructure, and expertise that many African AI startups face. Startups selected for Go Time AI receive an initial $25,000 investment, with the opportunity to secure up to $175,000 in additional funding based on performance and progress.
Aiming to Close the AI Gap in Africa
Despite Africa’s growing reputation as a tech powerhouse, AI startups still struggle with limited funding, inadequate technical resources, and infrastructure challenges. Go Time AI is tackling these obstacles by providing not just financial backing, but also:
- Access to cloud computing credits and API services for product development.
- A structured four-month mentorship program with industry leaders.
- Regular demo nights where startups showcase their progress to investors and potential partners.
Hasan Luongo, General Partner at Resilience17, reinforced the accelerator’s commitment to fostering AI talent in Africa, stating:
“Despite challenges acutely highlighted in 2024, Nigeria is poised to continue leading as a global technology hub. We launched Go Time AI to prove this thesis, and after working closely with our first cohort, our conviction has only grown stronger.”
Meet the First AI Startups Backed by Go Time AI
The first cohort of Go Time AI featured five startups leveraging AI to solve real-world problems in various industries. These startups, which pitched their ideas during the January 2025 Demo Day, include:
- Catlog – An AI-powered chatbot that helps businesses manage sales, customer interactions, and deliveries via Instagram and WhatsApp.
- Sahel AI – A legal tech platform that automates contract review and drafting for law firms and corporate legal teams.
- Tyms – AI-driven accounting software that simplifies financial management for small businesses.
- AI Teacha – An AI-powered education tool that assists teachers with lesson planning, presentations, and learning material development.
- FriendNPal – A 24/7 AI-powered mental health companion, offering virtual therapy and emotional support.
Each startup received an initial $25,000, with the opportunity to unlock up to $175,000 in further investments. Unlike traditional accelerators, Go Time AI does not have a fixed cohort size, allowing it to accept more startups on a rolling basis.
A Hands-On Approach to AI Acceleration
The Go Time AI program is designed to offer more than just funding. It follows a practical, high-impact approach that immerses founders in key aspects of product development, scaling, and market expansion.
Program Highlights:
✅ Demo Nights: Startups pitch their progress every two weeks, receiving feedback from investors, mentors, and peers.
✅ Office Hours: Deep-dive sessions covering technical development, growth strategies, and product positioning.
✅ Expert Mentorship: The first cohort learned from top tech leaders like Wiza Jalakasi (EBanx), Olu Amusan (Vesti), Samee Zahid (Chipper Cash), and Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu (Flutterwave).
According to Luongo, the program isn’t about general entrepreneurship education but helping founders build world-class AI products and acquire early users quickly.
“Our goal was not to teach founders how to run a company, but to focus on what matters most—building a top-tier product and getting users to the ‘magic moment’ where they see clear value.”
What’s Next for Go Time AI?
With AI innovation gaining traction across Africa, Go Time AI is already proving to be a game-changer. The first cohort’s founders reported significant improvements in storytelling, product strategy, and investor engagement, making the accelerator a valuable launchpad for AI startups.
Applications for the next cohort of Go Time AI open in May 2025, offering another wave of African startups the chance to secure up to $200,000, gain expert mentorship, and accelerate their AI ventures.
As AI-driven solutions become more essential worldwide, initiatives like Go Time AI, Accelerate Africa, and JADA are positioning Africa as a major player in the global AI revolution.
For African AI founders looking to scale, Go Time AI presents a unique opportunity to access funding, mentorship, and a pathway to global markets.