MAN Impact Accelerator opens applications for second cohort

MAN Truck and Bus has opened applications for the second cohort of its MAN Impact Accelerator and is calling on South African mobility, transport and logistics startups with a tangible social impact to submit entries.

Applications close on 23 September. In an email yesterday (29 August), MAN Truck and Bus digital innovation manager Stehbeck Florian said SA startups will have the unique opportunity to learn from top-notch mentors during the accelerator’s six week programme,

“Among them are representatives from Uber, Maersk, Salesforce, Google and, of course, MAN Truck & Bus. Together with Yunus Social Business (YSB), we aim to create even more impact for the bottom of the societal pyramid,” said Florian.

Applications for the second cohort of the MAN Impact Accelerator are set to close on 23 September

To be considered for the programme applicants must be involved in running early-stage social businesses that have a strong purpose and create both tangible and measurable impact beyond financial returns.

The accelerator will also consider startups working in the following fields: Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, wearables, digital health and medtech, last-mile connection and distribution, blockchain, chatbots, platforms, drones and aerospace, sensors, agriculture, education, big data and smart data, cyber security, and internet automation.

Two SA startups, Mellocabs and GetTruck, were part of the accelerator’s inaugural cohort. The accelerator programme saw the participants travel to Munich, Mumbai, Cape Town and San Francisco.

This year’s edition is set to kick off in November at the Global Social Business Summit in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Like last year, over the course of the six-month programme selected startups will travel around the world to meet with mentors from transport and logistics companies, before the programme concludes in Munich in June next year.

Benefits for selected startups include access to MAN’s supply and distribution networks, potential funding from YSB, consulting services and access to the Silicon Valley community.

Read more: SA startups Mellowcabs, GetTruck join MAN Impact Accelerator first cohort

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