Global innovation accelerator hosts FastTrack to find best Nigerian start-ups

One of the world’s most influential global innovation accelerators, Startupbootcamp (SBC), will be hosting a FastTrack in Lagos on 18 June 2017 as part of their global tour to find the next big startup phenomenon.

A total of 16 FastTrack events are being held across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and startups can now apply until 16 July 2017 to present their ideas to mentors and sponsors for pre-application advice and feedback.

“The aim is to find and grow disruptive startups and connect them with dynamic corporates.  We are fundamentally changing the ecosystem and seeing tangible results that validate our methodology. The more we engage the more excited we get at how much talent we unearth at these FastTracks,” shares Philip Kiracofe, co-MD of Startupbootcamp Cape Town.

The Lagos FastTrack is being hosted by Seedspace and local disruptive start-ups 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 should apply to participate.

‘’The rate at which disruptive innovation is growing in Nigeria is quite astounding. New fintech, edutech and regtech start-ups keep evolving all around the country. The only thing we currently need are investors and it’s a good thing to know that Startupbootcamp is willing to partner with some of these start-ups,’’ shares Simeon Ononobi, founder and CEO of successful Nigerian start-up SimplePay.

Beyond the FastTracks
FastTrack engagements are not a requirement to apply for the Startupbootcamp Accelerator, and we encourage ALL startups to apply. The final deadline for innovators and entrepreneurs to apply online for the accelerator is 9 July 2017.

From a pool of hundreds of applicants, the 10 most promising teams will be selected and provided with EUR 15,000, 100+ highly engaged industry mentors, free office space, access to funding and a network of industry partners, investors and venture capital firms. The 3-month bootcamp kicks off in September 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa, and will be led by seasoned innovation experts, Zachariah George, Philip Kiracofe, and Paul Nel.

Core sponsors for this first SBC Africa-based programme include big backers BNP Paribas Personal Finance, RCS, and PwC. Support is also given by global sponsors Google cloud, Amazon web services, Intel, and Cisco.

As one of the leading financial services institutions in Africa, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to improve our credit product offering for our customers and business partners and essentially improve their overall experience,” believes Regan Adams, CEO of RCS.

Startupbootcamp CapeTown was initiated after a trend analysis found more than 160 applications to the global programme originated from African teams in 2016 alone.

How to apply?

• Interested teams can apply to attend a FastTrack here: bit.ly/sbcftlagos
• Any mentors that would like to help with the FastTrack can apply here: http://bit.ly/capetownmentor
• Startups interested in applying to the 3-month Cape Town program can apply here: https://www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/cape-town