Startupbootcamp Africa Issues Final Call for Top Tech Startups to Enter Accelerator – Applications Close 24 May 2018

Over the past 3 months Startupbootcamp (SBC) Africa have hosted 19 FastTrack scouting days in 15 countries, averaging 1 in every 4 days. They have engaged with and mentored nearly 220 startups and have made direct introductions between founders and corporate sponsors. Now they are urging top innovators across the world to apply to the final accelerator, with less than 2 days to go to deadline.

From the largest-ever scouting event in Lagos to resoundingly successful FastTracks in both London and Paris, SBC Africa’s scouting tour for 2018 is ending on a high today in Cape Town where again 12 startups have demonstrated the extraordinary innovation talent that resides on the continent. The final FastTrack was hosted by sponsor Old Mutual.

Speaking at the Cape Town FastTrack, Anton Kleingeld, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances at Old Mutual, said: “It was incredible to see the diversity of ideas and concepts presented, most of which have the potential to fundamentally change the way people live, work and engage every day. We look forward to exploring collaboration opportunities with companies that do exactly this.”

“It’s been an incredible journey,” says Philip Kiracofe, CEO and co-founder of Startupbootcamp Africa, “We’ve seen an astounding array of startups solving a much wider set of challenges than we experienced last year. We’ve also seen a much higher calibre and volume of startups applying to this year’s programme. Now the gruelling evaluation process begins to select the companies that are accepted into the final programme.”

The 2018 FastTrack journey welcomed startups from across Europe where innovators are set on solving the unique challenges facing Africa today.

“The FastTracks hosted by BNP Paribas Personal Finance in Paris and London saw their top executives host 1:1 sessions with founders to explore opportunities: “This proves the value of direct engagement with key decision makers and the commitment from global corporates to support disruptive technologies. It also demonstrates how we can accelerate the progress for startups by gaining them access to international markets,” comments Philip Kiracofe.

The next stop sees Startupbootcamp at VivaTech in Paris this week to showcase the African success stories on the global stage.

Now is the last chance for tech entrepreneurs from across the globe to apply to the Startupbootcamp Africa final accelerator. If you are a top-tier innovator with a disruptive startup and you think you have what it takes to ultimately compete in the global market – apply today.

The final application deadline for the 2018 cohort is Thursday, 24 May at bit.ly/sbcafrica.

The 3-month bootcamp kicks off in September 2018 in Cape Town and will be led by seasoned innovation experts, Zachariah George, Philip Kiracofe and Paul Nel.

How to apply to the SBC Africa Final Accelerator for 2018:

• Visit: ly/sbcafrica
• Click on Apply Now
• Remember: Applications close 24 May 2018

The top 10 tech startups chosen for the Cape Town Accelerator will each receive EUR 15 000, access to 100+ highly engaged industry mentors, free office space, access to funding and a network of industry partners, investors and venture capital firms.

“I’d recommend this programme to any startup that wants to grow and scale their business across Africa because SBC gives you all the tools you need to succeed in a very short and very intense 3-month period. Your startup and your business and your thinking process will never be the same after that,” states Tami Chipika from the Zimbabwean startup Khoyn, SBC Africa alumnus of 2017.

SBC Africa is anchored and endorsed by heavyweight sponsors RCS, PwC, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Nedbank, Woolworths Financial Services and Old Mutual.

“RCS is a proud supporter of open innovation collaboration with industry partners to the overall betterment of society. We believe that the solutions that we develop in conjunction with start-ups can tangibly benefit our broader business and overall customer experience. It is beneficial for companies to partner with fintechs that have demonstrable solutions to practical business problems and customer needs. In addition, our partnership with Startupbootcamp further reinforces our support of local startups in Africa,” comments Regan Adams, CEO of RCS.