Recently, I was having a conversation about the relationship between the media and startups in Africa and I said something I hope was profound, "we exist because you do."
That may sound patronising, but it isn't. If there are no startups building solutions across the continent, tech media would turn their eyes to other subjects.
Since Techpoint Africa was founded in 2015, we've not just covered the industry, but also supported its players. We've primarily done that by writing insightful articles about exciting innovations, spotlighting resilient founders, and holding bad players accountable. But that's not all.
We've hosted events that have served as an inspiration and catalyst for important conversations, facilitated impactful connections, and even helped attendees land jobs.
In 2018, we began hosting early-stage startups for pitch sessions at our office space, providing an opportunity for Nigerian tech professionals to network and showcase their work. We called it Pitch Friday.
Over the last two years, how we think about it has evolved. We want to move beyond providing a stage to share your ideas to providing support on your journey.
Introducing the Founders Clinic
Founders Clinic is an eight week mentorship programme connecting early-stage startup founders with experienced professionals.
These professionals will work with the founders over eight weeks on specific problems that they identify beforehand. By the end, we hope to have facilitated lasting connections that will drive the growth of innovative startups in Nigeria.
So who's eligible to apply?
Let's start with the easy one. Startups in finance, education, mobility, healthcare, and creator economy are the focus of this cohort.
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To the hard part: There's a certain founder who is fit for this programme. For one, you must have launched with at least an MVP and your business must also be a tech or tech-enabled one.
Building a business is hard, and we only want to support startups that are solving pressing problems across the continent. Therefore, the more novel your approach is, the better your chances of getting accepted. We’re also interested in founders who have a combination of grit and industry experience or understanding.
While we're not providing any funding, we would only select startups that would value the time and effort put in by our mentors. Consequently, our review process would be rigorous. If that worries you, don't apply. If all you have is an idea, don't apply. If you've been around for a long time without making any significant progress, don’t apply.
If you think you fit the bill, please go ahead and fill out this form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we can’t wait to create magic with you. Applications close on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
