Open Startup has unveiled the fifth edition of its flagship accelerator programme, BRAIN 5.0, aimed at helping African DeepTech startups become investment-ready and competitive in global markets.
The organisation said the launch marks five years of continuous learning and improvement, during which the BRAIN programme has evolved to deliver more practical, hands-on support tailored to the specific needs of founders tackling technical and business challenges. Each edition, it noted, builds on lessons from the previous one to strengthen the link between science and entrepreneurship across the continent.
Over the past five years, BRAIN has supported more than 40 DeepTech startups spanning 12 industries across 10 African countries. Out of these, 25 have been fully accelerated, with 60 percent attracting investor funding and collectively raising over $5 million.
According to Open Startup, the fifth cohort will focus more on health and climate-related ventures, offering deeper and more specialised support to drive impactful innovations in these sectors.
BRAIN is a 12-month hybrid accelerator designed for science-based African startups developing advanced AI technologies or complex hardware. It is run in collaboration with AfricaGrow, AfricInvest Group, and the Dutch Good Growth Fund, and supported by global partners such as Steve Madden, Digital Africa, MIT-Africa, the MIT Executive MBA Program, Bpifrance, Sanofi, and InstaDeep.
Participants will benefit from an in-person regional intensive bootcamp in South Africa, co-delivered with MIT Executive MBA students and global DeepTech experts. The programme also offers international exposure through immersion sessions in Africa, the United States, and Europe, as well as investor access via exclusive pitch clinics and meetings with top DeepTech investors.
For small businesses and emerging founders, the initiative represents a valuable opportunity to access global mentorship, investment readiness support, and cross-border networks essential for scaling Africa’s science-driven innovation ecosystem.
