Cohort programs tend to have groups of people banded together due to a shared, common characteristic, and regarded as a unit or classmates. Usually, they work together and strive towards the same goal within a set time.
In the African start-up ecosystem (and across other ecosystems globally), cohort-based programs boast African founders with a purpose to grow and scale up within a specific period.
The founders enjoy face-to-face lessons, build on their knowledge on how to improve upon their business ideas, meet like-minded founders and make important connections, increase their networks and are open to new opportunities that may spring up from such programs.
Here is a list of five African, cohort-based programs catering to founders and their start-ups.
1. GetfundedAfrica Investor-readiness Cohort Program
First is GetFundedAfrica, a tech-enabled marketplace which matches start-ups, investors (VCs & Angels), corporates & governments to improve and strengthen the African start-up ecosystem. It is one of the few non-accelerators on this list.
Launched in February 2020, it uses education, fundraising and technology services to enable African start-ups to grow and scale. The cohort-based program is one of its educational services.
Where: Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
When: Bi-annually
Duration: 12 weeks
Goal: Fundraising, knowledge, resources
For more information, visit: www.media.getfundedafrica.com
2. The Baobab Network (TBN)
Next is The Baobab Network which has been featured in an earlier post about accelerators in Africa improving the continent’s start-up system. It is a technology accelerator which is investing in the next crop of African tech entrepreneurs and, for the last six years, has continued to empower early-stage tech start-ups in Africa.
The Baobab Network runs a world-class accelerator program supporting Africa’s innovators to scale homegrown solutions.
Where: Nairobi, Kenya
When: Quarterly
Duration: Three months
Goal: Fundraising, platform to go global
For more information, visit: www.thebaobabnetwork.com
3. Telecel Group Africa Start-up Initiative Program (ASIP) Accelerator Program
Moh Damush, Group CEO of Telecel, founded the third cohort program, ASIP, to support and add value to young start-ups making an impact in their communities, and contributing to the growth of the African continent. It was launched in 2017.
Where: Senegal, Dakar
When: Annually
Duration: Three months
Goal: knowledge and financial support
For more information, visit: www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/afritech-asip/
4. Grindstone Accelerator Program
Jointly owned by Knife Capital and Thinkroom Consulting, and supported by the SA SME Fund, Grindstone assists high-growth, innovation-driven tech start-ups to become more investable, sustainable and exit-ready. It helps grow the start-up ecosystem and the economy at large.
Where: Cape Town & Johannesburg, South African
When: Annually
Duration: 12 months
Goal: Access to knowledge, funding, networks, markets
For more information, visit: www.grindstonexl.com
5. Adanian Labs Venture Building Program
And rounding off is Adanian Labs. Founded in January 2020 and referred to as the “start-up that builds start-ups.” It is a first-of-its-kind venture studio in Africa, on a mission to build 300 impact-driven tech start-ups that are commercially viable and positioned to accelerate the growth of African economies.
Where: Various locations across Africa – Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria & Kenya
When: Annually
Duration: 12 months
Goal: To create CAMELS (strong, resilient companies, entrepreneurs, and youth capable of sustaining African economies even with limited resources).
For more information, visit: www.adanianlabs.io
About GetFundedAfrica
GetFundedAfrica is a tech-enabled marketplace matching start-ups, investors (venture capitals & angels), corporates and governments to improve and strengthen the African start-up ecosystem.
