Swiss accelerator Kickstart calls on later-stage African startups to apply for 2019 programme

Zurich-based tech accelerator Kickstart has opened applications for programme, and has called on later-stage African startups to apply for its fourth cohort.

Kickstart focuses on deep tech like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and big data across the edtech, fintech and digital assets, food and retail tech, smart city tech and for the first time cybersecurity and healthtech verticals.

Applications for this year’s programme close on 17 May.

Kickstart’s 2019 programme will for the first time include cybersecurity and healthtech verticals

After applications close on 17 May, Kickstart will hold a final selection at Kraftwerk Zurich on 8 and 9 July.

Thereafter, an intensive planing sprint will be held between 2 and 6 September, with an individual preparation phase scheduled to take place between 7 and 29 September. A six-week collaboration sprint will then be held between 30 September and 8 November at Kraftwerk Zurich.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to meet and work together with Kickstart’s partners with the aim of launching innovation partnerships and pilot projects.

The accelerator’s partners include AXA, Coop, Migros, Swisscom, Mobiliar, Credit Suisse, ETH Zürich, Gebert Rüf Foundation, Mercator Foundation Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE, the cities of Zurich as well as St Gallen.

The programme’s healthtech and cybersecurity verticals are being run in partnership with Swiss Healthcare Startups SHS and SATW Mobiliar, respectively.

Kickstart claims that during its first three cohorts, more than 75 business partnerships were established. Kickstart co-lead Katka Letzing said in a statement on Monday (15 April) that deep tech has a great potential which can only be fully exploited through cooperation between different partners.

“These new technologies can contribute to solving some of the biggest challenges of our time. Established players are increasingly looking to work with tech startups. Successful innovation doesn’t happen in isolation — it needs co-operation. That’s what Kickstart stands for,” she added.

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