Applications Open for Make-IT Accelerator in Nigeria & Kenya Programme!

Deadline: 27 October 2017

Applicants are invited to apply for the Make-IT Accelerator in Nigeria & Kenya, 9-month acceleration programme that will provide access to the right knowledge, mentors, business and financing partners and opportunities for successful business growth.

The 9-month programme, supports to achieve B2B cooperation- and investment-readiness. Based in Nairobi, Kenya or Lagos, Nigeria, the Make-IT Accelerator is designed and implemented in collaboration with highly renowned local hubs, corporate partners and investment experts.

Programme Phases

The Make-IT Accelerator, provided by German International Cooperation (GIZ), includes three structured phases:

Inspire – Achieve the Capacity for Growth (Jan – Mar 2018): three months of cohort-based training and capacity development for growth, including individualised needs assessments and scaling plans and regular meetings with experienced acceleration managers to help you develop and grow your business.
Connect – From Cooperation Readiness to Cooperation (Apr – Jun 2018): three months of B2B cooperation readiness training, individual support, preferred access to B2B matchmaking events with major international corporates and access to the Make-IT mentor pool as needed.
Develop – From Investment Readiness to Investment (Jun – Aug 2018): three months of support from finance and investment experts, who will help you achieve investment readiness, prepare you with the skills to negotiate investment deals and provide pitch training for a final Demo Day in Lagos or Nairobi.

Eligibility Criteria

For profit, registered business with a team of at least two people (must be registered in an African country)
In operation for at least one full year
Already have digital (software or hardware) product or service on the market and evidence of revenue
Clearly demonstrate potential to scale
Based in or able to work from Nairobi or Lagos for the first six months of the programme (or travel there for regular meetings)
A business model with a social Impact. That means that it presents a solution to a social problem, and has positive impact on society (locally and/or globally). They define ‘social’ as the basics of life (especially in terms of health, environment, food, agriculture).

Selection Criteria