Startupbootcamp (SBC), a global family of industry focused accelerators, last year launched its first-ever Africa-based programme.
SBC Africa is a world class accelerator focused on high growth startups in block chain technologies, connected devices, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, integrated supply chain, e-commerce, fin-tech, retail-tech, insure-tech, alternative financing, identity management, digital connectivity, data and behavioral analytics and enabling technologies and other tech-related sectors.
Building on the success of its inaugural 2017 Cape Town tech venture accelerator programme, SBC Africa is currently on its “Fastrack” tour for 2018 scouting top-tier tech startups to join the programme’s second year.
The first-ever Cape Town based SBC “Africa Accelerator” was a roaring success with 32 corporate agreements (including pilots and proof-of-concepts and commercial engagements) signed during the accelerator, and five joint startup collaborations forged.
“To sign 32 agreements is above average for any SBC programme in the network. However, when compared to other first-time programmes, SBC Africa is the top performing programme. Even in very mature markets such as the US and Europe it generally takes three years for a programme to find its stride. We surpassed expectations in our very first year and this is unprecedented across the global SBC footprint,” said Zachariah George, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of the SBC Africa accelerator.
Widely recognised as one of the world’s most influential global innovation accelerators, SBC in Africa kicks off 2018 by hosting a “FastTrack world tour” between February and May that will include 19 FastTracks across 15 countries in search of the next generation of Africa-focused startup talent.
“We think of Africa as the cradle of innovation and the cradle of disruption. The inescapable reality is that the population in African cities will increase by 400-800% over the next 80 years, and innovation must happen as a fundamental necessity for survival. We believe that there is going to be a level of disruption in Africa that is unrivaled in modern history.
“There is no other place on the planet where they’ve dealt with this scale of growth and we view this as a golden opportunity,” said Philip Kiracofe, co-founder and CEO of SBC Africa.
SBC FastTracks are informal events hosted all over the world and the aim is for the SBC team, mentors, corporate sponsors, investors and thought leaders to have the opportunity to meet the most suitable high growth ventures interested in joining the 2018 programme.
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 that will be hosted in Cape Town starting August 2018.
Any startup operating in the fin-tech, cyber security, insure-tech, eCommerce, smart cities, retail tech and related industries is encouraged to join in the FastTracks.
For each FastTrack, applications close three days before the event. The final deadline for innovators and entrepreneurs to apply online for the final three month accelerator is 24 May 2018.
Over the three-month final programme, the 10-selected high potential startups from across the globe will accelerate their companies with the help of the SBC team of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners. In three months, the selected teams will achieve what normally would take them 12-18 months, by leveraging direct access to key contacts in the industry.
The SBC Africa programme is proudly endorsed by heavyweight sponsors Old Mutual, RCS, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Nedbank and Woolworths Financial Services, in global partnership with Amazon Web Services, Cisco and Google Cloud.
Apply to your local FastTrack now by visiting https://bit.ly/sbcafrica. Click on your chosen FastTrack, click Apply Now and fill out the short online form. Remember, applications close three days before each event.
FastTrack engagements are not a requirement to apply for the Startupbootcamp Africa Accelerator, and all start-ups 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 May 24 2018.
Apply to the final Startupbootcamp Africa Accelerator by visiting: https://bit.ly/SBCApplyNow
