Startupbootcamp Africa to Host FastTrack in Lagos, Nigeria to Source Top Startup Talent – Applications Now Open!

Startupbootcamp (SBC), a global family of industry-focused accelerators, last year launched its first-ever Africa-based programme.

Building on the rapid success of its inaugural 2017 Cape Town tech venture accelerator programme that catapulted Nigerian startup MOBicure and their flagship application UMOMi into the spotlight, Startupbootcamp Africa will be hosting a FastTrack in Lagos, Nigeria on 7 April 2018. This is part of a global tour to source, grow and scale the next generation of Africa-focused innovators.

The first-ever Startupbootcamp Africa Accelerator was a rollercoaster success with a record 32 corporate agreements including pilots and proof-of-concepts, signed during the accelerator.

“Fast Track events are a rare opportunity for startups across the globe to present their businesses to an elite group of mentors comprising industry experts, corporate executives and investors.  Through more than 2 hours of personal, dedicated one-on-one feedback from mentors and subject-matter experts, startups will be able to engage with the Startupbootcamp global community and will also be able to meet with industry executives and exposed to worldwide opportunities”, say Philip Kiracofe and Zachariah George, the co-founders of Startupbootcamp Africa.

The Lagos, Nigeria FastTrack will be held on 7 April 2018 and they are seeking applications from disruptive startups in industries including blockchain, connected devices, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, integrated supply chain, e-commerce, alternative financing, identity management, digital connectivity, data and behavioral analytics and enabling technologies.

Stanley Gabriel, Head of Innovation at Old Mutual Personal Finance, is enthusiastic about the possibilities that the FastTrack events open up. “Through our partnership with Startupbootcamp, startups have the opportunity to leverage our expertise, experience, resources and talent to build more compelling commercial propositions with clear commercial outcomes, while our business and our stakeholders in turn benefit from their innovative ideas. We look forward to what Kampala has to offer!”

The inaugural Startupbootcamp Africa programme received applications from all over the world, and one of the Top 10 was a Nigerian startup named MOBicure.

“I would recommend Startupbootcamp to other startups, especially if you are a startup in sub-Saharan Africa. In this part of Africa there aren’t a lot of high-quality Accelerators such as this and this is really a life-changing opportunity,” states Dr Charles Akhimien, founder of startup MOBicure. 

What is a FastTrack:

Startupbootcamp FastTracks are informal events hosted all over the world and the aim is for the SBC team, mentors and sponsors to have the opportunity to meet the most suitable early-stage companies interested in joining the 2018 programme.

For each FastTrack, the top 10 startups that apply will receive instant feedback from a panel of industry mentors, they will be able to network with the SBC investment team and can also find out more about the programme itself.

Startup teams that attend a FastTrack are 20% more likely to be invited to the final Selection Days where the ultimate Top 10 will be invited to join the three-month programme to be hosted in Cape Town commencing September.

Why a FastTrack:

Attending a FastTrack can offer startups valuable feedback from mentors and subject experts, startups will be able to engage with the Startupbootcamp global community and will also be able to meet with industry executives and get exposed to worldwide opportunities. Attending a FastTrack will also give a startup the significant advantage of being added to the SBC Cape Town watch list, which gives you a 20% higher chance of being selected for the final programme.

“We want every startup to know that even if you don’t make it into the final Accelerator, our FastTrack events can provide incredible guidance and mentorship and can fundamentally shift a growing business,” advises Philip Kiracofe, co-MD and CEO of Startupbootcamp Cape Town.

Who should apply to a FastTrack:

Any startup operating in the FinTech, CyberSecurity, InsurTech, eCommerce, RetailTech and related industries is encouraged to join in the FastTracks.

SBC Africa are specifically looking for startups in the following areas:

• Blockchain and Distributed Ledger
• Payment Solutions
• Big Data and Analytics
• Data and Behavioural Analytics
• Insurance and Cyber Insurance
• Financial Inclusion
• Commerce and eCommerce
• Identity and Authentication
• Payments
• Personal Financial Management
• IoT
• P2P Lending
• Cross-border Transactions

Beyond the FastTracks:

FastTrack engagements are not a requirement to apply for the Startupbootcamp Africa Accelerator, and ALL startups are encouraged to apply. However, attending a FastTrack will be to your advantage.

The final deadline for innovators and entrepreneurs to apply online for the final accelerator is 24 May 2018.

Core sponsors for this Africa-based programme include big backers Old Mutual, RCS, PwC, BNP Paribas, Nedbank and Woolworths Financial Services.

How to apply to the Lagos, Nigeria FastTrack:

• Visit the Lagos, Nigeria FastTrack page here: http://bit.ly/SBCLagos
• Scroll down and click on hyperlinked “online form” under How to Apply
• Good to Know: Only 10 teams are invited to each FastTrack so get your applications in as soon as possible!