Qualcomm, the NASDAQ-listed global titan in wireless innovation and semiconductor technology, has officially opened the application window for the latest cycle of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Programme. This initiative is a core pillar of the Qualcomm African Innovation Platform, designed to bridge the technical and business gaps for early-stage startups across the continent.
The program specifically targets ventures that are leveraging advanced connectivity (5G, IoT) and processing technologies to build high-impact, end-to-end hardware and software solutions.
Unlike traditional accelerators that focus solely on pitch decks, Qualcomm’s mentorship is deeply rooted in engineering and intellectual rigor. Selected startups will benefit from:
- Direct Engineering Consultation: Access to Qualcomm’s world-class engineers to assist with product development, hardware integration, and technical troubleshooting.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Guidance: Specialized training on how to protect inventions and navigate the complex global landscape of patents and IP rights—a critical asset for hardware-focused startups.
- Strategic Business Coaching: Personalized mentorship to help founders refine their business models, scale their operations, and prepare for institutional investment.
- Equity-Free Support: The program provides these high-value resources without taking an ownership stake in the participating companies, allowing founders to maintain full control.
The program follows a successful track record of empowering African deep-tech. The most recent cohort, comprised of 10 innovative ventures, was selected in June 2025 and has since been integrating Qualcomm’s technologies into their local solutions.
- Application Deadline: February 15, 2026.
- Target Profile: Early-stage startups focused on hardware, IoT, AI, and advanced wireless systems.
- Focus Area: Startups solving “end-to-end” problems, from the physical device level to the cloud-integrated service.
Launched as a broader commitment to the continent’s digital sovereignty, the Qualcomm African Innovation Platform seeks to nurture an ecosystem where African engineers and entrepreneurs aren’t just consumers of global tech, but creators of it. By focusing on Make in Africa, Qualcomm is encouraging the local manufacturing and design of hardware that addresses specific regional challenges, from smart agriculture and energy monitoring to localized telecommunications infrastructure.
For startups looking to elevate their technical architecture to a global standard, this program offers a rare opportunity to look “under the hood” of one of the world’s most influential technology firms.
