African Tech Startup Forum (ATSF) 2024 is set to showcase its first cohort of 160 Tech Startups from 8 African countries; trained by industry leaders, networked with other startups, successful established businesses, and investors.
From the 160, a smaller cohort of just 20 stand-out firms will head out on a study tour to South Korea and attend the COME UP KOREA event in December 2024.
ATSF is a pilot collaboration of Ndarama Works, Catalyze and Korea Startup Forum, supported by leading tech incubation training partner, UVU Africa. It is funded by the Korea Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund through the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab.
ATSF is a Market Access and Acceleration Program designed to prepare, train, expose, and connect African tech ventures with local and international opportunities. The program takes place virtually and in-person, aiming to showcase the exceptional tech innovations emerging from Africa and provide them with the platform to thrive. Collaborating with experts from Africa and around the globe, will create an ecosystem that nurtures and boosts tech ventures.
One of the key objectives of the Forum is to seek out and highlight women-owned tech companies, with a goal to have at least 50% of the cohort be strong African women showing their incredible range of tech skills.
The incubation program, a cornerstone of the Forum, provides a nurturing environment for early-stage tech startups to gain access to specialised resources, mentorship, and collaborative workspaces. The B2B matchmaking platform within the Forum facilitates strategic connections between startups and established businesses while Investor Sourcing facet connects promising startups with potential investors eager to support groundbreaking ventures.
ATSF is currently in the intake stage, accepting applications for the inaugural cohort, comprising 160 outstanding entrepreneurs, including startups and Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs). Applications close on 10 May 2024. The second cohort of 20 businesses will be chosen from the first cohort and will advance their growth through a study tour to South Korea and attend the COME UP KOREA event in December 2024.
ATSF are still looking for applications from tech innovators from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Morocco, Rwanda, and South Africa, in AGTech, FinTech, HealthTech, GameTech, EdTech, RetailTech, GovTech, BioTech, OceanTech, ServiceTech/IOT, CleanTech, E-ComTech and CyberTech.
You can apply here: https://africatechstartupforum.com/apply/