Africa Twenty10 accelerator is calling for first intake of savvy startups

The Africa Twenty10 accelerator programme is looking for local startups that would help solve the problem of fragmentation and small market sizes on the continent.

In its effort to create a more competitive environment, the accelerator will provide a three-month intensive programme for the first intake of startups, which will enable them to launch in multiple countries and access bigger market sizes.

The initiative hopes to find a fair balance of female-led startups, social enterprises along with other profitable and impactful startups.

The programme is supported by Microsoft4Afrika Initiative, Appfrica Venture Capital Fund, Expand HR Services and innovation spaces across Africa including iSpace in Ghana.

Alongside the acceleration programme, startups have the opportunity to meet current and former entrepreneurs, and leading VCs from the industry. Specifically, startups will benifit from the following:

• Demo Day to  and constant pitch days to investors from all over the  world
• A rigorous training program structured around Microsoft SME4Afrika content with the goal of companies achieving highest Investment Readiness Level and overcoming the three main causes of company/product death
• Provided free office space in innovation spaces in your country
• Connected with experienced and dedicated  mentors from all over the  world including

Read more: African women in tech: Ethel Cofie on why men are seen as ambitious and women bitchy

Africa Twenty10 notes that the continent today has a US$2-trillion economy, with a third of the continent’s countries growing at 6% or more. It has 60% of the world’s arable land and we will soon have the world’s largest workforce and the youngest continent with 75% of population under 25 years.

Applicants must have the following criteria:

• Potential for growth and profitability: We examine a company’s market potential, business model, product, and customer development strategy to evaluate its likelihood of success.
• Uniqueness: We look for products and services that bring innovation to the education technology and learning market.
• Team Capability: We assess the experience of the founding team, how well the team aligns with its business needs, and how well the team understands its organizational needs.
• Impact Criterion: We evaluate how the business will impact society and the broader learning environment.

Applications will close 30 November 2014, so you’d better get going. You can download the necessary documents here.