Innovest Ignite is a Global Accelerator Program designed for Early-Stage startups founded by Entrepreneurs of African descent.
Innovest Ignite is an 8-week, fully remote program tailored for pre-seed or seed-stage startups with the potential to disrupt their local markets with disruptive business models. Our accelerator is open to all startups within the host region, regardless of the sector they operate or their business model. We accept 10-20 startups in each cohort and at the program conclusion, all participating startups will pitch in a live Demo-Day event in the host region.
Through Innovest Ignite, we provide founders with entrepreneurial training, vital resources, mentorship, ongoing support and access to funding. Our goal is to empower participating entrepreneurs with the tools needed to scale their ventures and seize opportunities in their local economies.
Our mentors and partners are a diverse group of industry experts, exited founders, and global investors who are not just passionate about innovation but are also deeply committed to adding value to African-founded startups.
Cost: The accelerator program is free for all participating founders. Stage: Best for early-stage startups (pre-seed or seed stages) with a team; we don’t work with solo founders. Commitment: 8 weeks of a fully virtual delivered program. Business Model / Technology: Most programs are industry and business model-agnostic. All startups are welcome to apply but must be solving for one of the UN SDGs. Cohort Size: For maximum effectiveness, 10-20 startups will be accepted per cohort based the program specifics. Delivery: Experienced founders and industry experts will facilitate sessions, delivering on a curriculum designed for an experiential learning experience. Sessions include pitching, product/market fit, business and revenue models, building a team, and scaling business operations. Mentor and Investor Sessions: Participants will have several 1-1 sessions with mentors and investors to provide expert insights and generate investor interest. Demo-Day: All startups will pitch to an audience of investors and other ecosystem partners at the Innovest Afrika Demo-Day event. Funding: Innovest Afrika Innovation Fund invests in the top of the cohort. We invest up to 50,000 USD for equity. Post Accelerator Support: All graduating participants gain automatic membership into the Innovest Afrika Alumni community, consisting of peers, mentors and investors to enhance long-term success and impact. Other benefits of participating in the program include: Enjoying subsidies offered by our strategic partners (legal, financial, and technology) and get access to board and governance support, continued mentorship and coaching, advanced workshops and trainings, and networking opportunities.
We are excited to work with founders who are teachable, value feedback, and understand collaboration as a process of growing their ventures and taking it to the next level. If that sounds like you, we may be a perfect match.
