Nailab (Nairobi Incubation Lab), a startup accelerator that offers a 3 to 12 months entrepreneurship program focusing on growing innovative technology driven ideas has opened up the application process for the physical incubation program.
For startups to qualify for the program, they have to register on www.ideasafrica.com, then network with the start up community in Africa, from which the candidates for the next season will be assessed and picked.
Nailab through its physical incubation program gives technology entrepreneurs the business intelligence, links them to networks and seed capital, personnel and other resources crucial for the growth of the businesses that may otherwise be unaffordable or inaccessible.
The incubatee’s undergo specific training, with the curriculum developed in partnership with Accenture that lasts between 3-12 months, depending on how fast the groups are in learning the ropes of entrepreneurship specifically in ICT. The criterion for choosing scalable business ideas is not only about the idea but also has to do with the team’s zeal and desire to succeed.
Launched in 2011, through a joint venture between its current CEO Sam Gichuru and crowd funding platform, 1%Club, Nailab has so far transformed the lives of many a youth, in the country, through entrepreneurial mentorship and training. The incubator has so far successfully churned out over 10 groups through its physical incubation program. Some of the startups include My Order, Eneza Education, Ukall, Sematime and Card planet.
Nailab works with partners like the Kenya ICT board, who together will roll out the incubation program throughout the country through which we target to nurture over 30 businesses over the next 3 years. Other strategic partners that the incubator has partnered with to ensure the success of the program are Accenture; a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing firm that enjoys presence in over 120 countries worldwide, 1%club; a crowd-sourcing platform, Microsoft and Seacom.
Nailab also has a virtual incubation program providing business advice, technical training and support, professional mentoring and coaching, giving access to market and fostering strategic partnerships as well as linking start ups to potential investors for startups that are not based in Nairobi.