Global accelerator Techstars enters Botswana to fuel startup growth

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January 14, 2025
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2 min read
Techstars
  • Techstars has launched a new accelerator programme in Botswana to support and scale startups within the region.
  • The newly launched Botswana accelerator programme will provide startups with critical resources, including mentorship, funding, and access to Techstars’ extensive international network. 
  • Techstars' presence in Botswana is anticipated to stimulate economic growth, innovation, and cross-border collaboration within the Southern African region.

Techstars’ expansion into Botswana is part of its broader effort to identify and invest in markets with untapped potential. While Africa is home to rapidly growing economies, many startups face challenges such as limited funding and restricted access to global networks. 

Techstars’ presence in Botswana, a nation with stable governance and ambitions for tech-led economic diversification, positions the accelerator as a catalyst for change in Southern Africa.

The company’s African journey has had its share of highs and lows. In 2022, Techstars launched the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator in Nigeria, which focused on fintech and proptech startups. 

The programme admitted 12 African startups from Nigeria and Kenya for its inaugural cohort, focusing on the fintech and proptech sectors. Despite its initial success, the Lagos accelerator was discontinued in November 2024 after two years of operation.

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Techstars’ entry into Botswana has the potential to redefine the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. By offering mentorship and funding, the program is expected to enhance startup resilience, encourage cross-border collaboration, and attract investor interest. 

This initiative could also spur economic integration among Southern African countries, leveraging Botswana as a hub for regional innovation.

Moreover, the program aligns with Botswana’s goals of economic diversification. The nation, historically dependent on diamond mining, has prioritised technology and innovation as pathways to sustainable growth. Techstars’ arrival could accelerate these efforts by nurturing a new generation of tech-driven enterprises.

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The introduction of Techstars in Botswana is poised to invigorate the local startup scene, providing entrepreneurs with the tools and support necessary to scale their ventures. This initiative is expected to foster a more interconnected startup ecosystem across Southern Africa, promoting cross-border collaborations and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

While Africa has been home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, access to global networks and resources remains a challenge for many local startups. By targeting Botswana, a country known for its stable governance and growing interest in tech-driven diversification, Techstars is positioning itself as a key enabler of innovation in the region.

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Written by Omoruyi Edoigiawerie, a seasoned startup attorney with over a decade of experience. Learn more.

In conclusion, Techstars’ launch in Botswana is more than a regional milestone; it is a statement of intent about the accelerator’s vision for Africa. By fostering innovation and enabling startups to thrive, Techstars is setting the stage for a new era of entrepreneurial success across the continent.

PointAI
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
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Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
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