Are you a woman innovator developing a deep-tech solution? Apply for the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Program for Women Innovators by 30 August 2026.
Are you a woman innovator developing a deep-tech solution? Apply for the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Program for Women Innovators by 30 August 2026.
Applications are open for the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Program for Women Innovators, an initiative by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) designed to support women-led university spin-offs, research ventures, and deep-tech startups. The programme is inviting applications from women founders, co-founders, inventors, and researchers who are developing technology-based innovations and preparing to commercialize and scale their ventures.
The WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program is designed to help women innovators integrate intellectual property into their commercialization and growth strategies. Through practical training, expert guidance, and peer learning, participants will strengthen their understanding of IP, improve their market positioning, and prepare their ventures for investment and growth.
Through the programme, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- Five interactive training sessions led by IP and business experts
- Practical tools and templates to develop an IP commercialization strategy
- Guidance on identifying unique selling points and competitive advantages
- Support to develop brand strategies and address IP ownership challenges
- Tools to prepare investor-ready data rooms
- Networking opportunities with peers, partners, and investors
- An opportunity to pitch to investors at the final event
- A certificate of participation for those who complete all sessions
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a woman founder, co-founder, inventor, or lead innovator
- Be developing a deep-tech product or technology-based innovation
- Have a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 to 8
- Have a venture that is ready to commercialize and scale
- Be working through a university spin-off, research-based venture, or deep-tech startup
To apply for the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Program for Women Innovators, visit the official application page here
Are you building an innovative EdTech solution in Africa? Apply for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups by 31 August 2026.
Are you building an innovative EdTech solution in Africa? Apply for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups by 31 August 2026.
Applications are open for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups, an initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the timbuktoo EdTech Hub. The programme is inviting applications from African startups and digital solution providers developing innovative technologies that improve education, training, and skills development across the continent.
The Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups is designed to support high-potential startups through a structured incubation programme that strengthens business models, enhances product development, and prepares ventures for investment and scale. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative education technologies while contributing to more inclusive and accessible learning systems across Africa.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- A structured incubation programme delivered by leading African incubators
- Access to experienced mentors, entrepreneurs, and EdTech experts
- Participation in a pan-African network of founders, incubators, and ecosystem partners
- Access to the SIGMA digital platform
- Investment readiness support
- Opportunities to join acceleration programmes and access early-stage investment
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be based in Africa
- Develop a solution focused on education, training, or skills development
- Have a testable prototype or minimum viable product (MVP)
- Have a committed team able to participate in the incubation programme
- Women-led startups, startups from rural areas, and those integrating local languages or accessibility features are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups, visit the official application page here.
Are you an aspiring AI entrepreneur in Africa? Apply for the MEST AI Startup Program by 20 July 2026.
Are you an aspiring AI entrepreneur in Africa? Apply for the MEST AI Startup Program by 20 July 2026.
Applications are open for the MEST AI Startup Program, an initiative by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) designed to equip Africa’s next generation of AI entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, and support needed to build globally competitive startups. The programme is inviting applications from ambitious founders across West and East Africa who are interested in developing innovative AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges.
The MEST AI Startup Program is a fully sponsored, immersive programme that combines entrepreneurship training, technical skills development, mentorship, and startup incubation. Participants will work with experienced practitioners and industry experts to validate ideas, build products, and prepare ventures for growth and investment.
Through the programme, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- A fully sponsored 12-month startup development programme
- Intensive training in AI, software development, entrepreneurship, and business strategy
- Access to mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
- Support to build, test, and launch AI-driven products and solutions
- A four-month incubation phase for the most promising ventures
- Opportunities to pitch for pre-seed investment and join the MEST portfolio
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be between 21 and 35 years old
- Hold a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or possess equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrate software development experience and a basic understanding of AI
- Show a strong interest in entrepreneurship and innovation
- Be a citizen of a West or East African country
- Be available to commit fully to the programme for up to 12 months
To apply for the MEST AI Startup Program, visit the official application page here.
Are you an African startup looking to expand into international markets? Apply for the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program 2026 by 24 May 2026.
Applications are open for the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program 2026, a flagship initiative implemented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in partnership with the Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF). The programme is inviting applications from high-potential African startups seeking to strengthen their business capabilities, scale across borders, and access new global market opportunities.
The AfCFTA Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program is designed to support innovative African startups through business development support, mentorship, and international partnership opportunities. The initiative aligns with AfCFTA’s broader goals of promoting intra-African trade, industrial development, innovation, and global competitiveness for African businesses.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- Capacity-building and mentorship support
- Market readiness training and strategic advisory services
- Access to Korean and global markets
- International trade facilitation opportunities
- Exposure to investors, strategic partners, and cross-border business ecosystems
- Opportunities for cross-continental collaboration and partnerships
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an African startup with an innovative and scalable business model
- Demonstrate readiness for international expansion
- Show interest in entering Korean and global markets
- Operate within AfCFTA priority sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing, or digital platforms
- Demonstrate strong growth and commercialization potential
To apply for the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program 2026, visit the official application page here.
Are you an agritech startup in Africa? Apply for the UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups by 27 April 2026.
Are you an agritech startup in Africa? Apply for the UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups by 27 April 2026.
Applications are open for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups, an initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with partners to support innovation in Africa’s agricultural sector. The programme is inviting applications from early-stage agritech startups leveraging technology to improve food systems, strengthen value chains, and drive sustainable agricultural development across the continent.
The Pan-African Incubation Programme is designed to support high-potential agritech startups through capacity building, mentorship, and access to networks that can help scale their solutions. The initiative focuses on fostering innovation that enhances productivity, resilience, and food security in Africa.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- Tailored incubation support to strengthen business models and operational capacity
- Access to expert mentorship and technical guidance in agritech and innovation
- Capacity-building sessions focused on scaling, investment readiness, and market expansion
- Opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders, partners, and investors
- Increased visibility within regional and pan-African innovation ecosystems
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an agritech startup operating within Africa
- Offer innovative solutions addressing challenges in agriculture or food systems
- Be at an early or growth stage with a functional product or service
- Demonstrate potential for scalability and impact across agricultural value chains
- Be committed to participating fully in the incubation programme
To apply for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups, visit the official application page here.
Are you a young innovator in Africa with a bold idea? Apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0 April 4, 2026
Are you a young innovator in Africa with a bold idea? Apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0
Applications are open for the Ignite Challenge 4.0, an initiative by Impact Hub Kigali designed to support young innovators and entrepreneurs working on impactful solutions to pressing social and economic challenges. The programme is inviting applications from early-stage founders and teams with innovative ideas that have the potential to drive sustainable development and create meaningful change in their communities.
The Ignite Challenge is a competitive innovation programme aimed at identifying, supporting, and accelerating high-potential ideas through mentorship, training, and access to resources. It focuses on empowering youth-led ventures with the skills and networks needed to transform ideas into viable and scalable solutions.
Through the programme, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- Structured training and capacity-building sessions to refine ideas and business models
- Access to mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
- Opportunities to pitch ideas and gain exposure to potential partners and investors
- Access to a supportive innovation ecosystem and peer network
- Potential funding or support to further develop and scale selected solutions
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a young innovator or entrepreneur with an early-stage idea or startup
- Be based in Africa or operating within an African context
- Present an innovative solution addressing social, economic, or environmental challenges
- Demonstrate commitment to developing and scaling the proposed idea
- Be available to participate fully in programme activities
To apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0, visit the official application page here.
Are you an African startup building innovative technology solutions? Apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme before 18 March 2026.
Are you an African startup building innovative technology solutions? Apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme before 18 March 2026.
Applications are open for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme. Google for Startups, Google’s initiative supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, is inviting applications from African technology startups using innovation to solve local and global challenges across the continent.
The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is an equity-free, three-month accelerator programme designed to support promising startups through technical mentorship, business growth support, and access to Google’s global network. The programme focuses on helping founders scale their solutions and build sustainable, high-impact businesses.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- Equity-free support and tailored mentorship from Google and industry experts
- Technical training and product support, including guidance on engineering, UX, and cloud solutions
- Access to Google tools, resources, and product credits to support startup growth
- Strategic support on business development, leadership, and scaling operations
- Connection to a global network of founders, investors, and partners
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a technology-focused startup using innovation to address a real-world problem
- Be based in Africa and primarily serve African or global markets
- Have an MVP or early-stage product with demonstrated traction
- Have at least one founder of African descent
- Be committed to participating fully in the duration of the accelerator programme
To apply, visit the official application page at Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme Applications.
Are you driving innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts? Apply for the STARTS Prize before 4 March 2026
Are you driving innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts? Apply for the STARTS Prize before 4 March 2026
Applications are open for the STARTS Prize 2026, an initiative of the European Commission that recognises and rewards innovative projects at the intersection of Science, Technology, and the Arts (STARTS). The programme invites artists, technologists, researchers, and interdisciplinary teams from around the world to submit groundbreaking projects that demonstrate how artistic exploration can shape technological and societal innovation.
The STARTS Prize is a flagship European award designed to highlight visionary collaborations and artistic works that contribute to sustainable, human-centred, and socially relevant technological development. Selected projects gain international visibility and are showcased across major European platforms and networks.
Through the prize, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- International recognition through a prestigious European Commission–backed award
- Monetary prizes awarded to outstanding projects and collaborations
- Exhibition and showcase opportunities at leading European events and institutions
- Increased visibility among policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and cultural organisations
- Inclusion in the broader STARTS ecosystem supporting art–technology innovation
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Submit a project operating at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts
- Be an individual, collective, or organisation from any country worldwide
- Present original work that demonstrates innovation, creativity, and societal relevance
- Projects may be artistic works, interdisciplinary collaborations, or applied innovations
- Submissions must align with the values of responsible, ethical, and sustainable innovation
To apply for the STARTS Prize 2026, visit the official application page at https://starts.eu/opportunities/starts-prize-2026/.
Are you an early-stage startup using frontier technologies for social impact? Apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6 by 20 February 2026
Are you an early-stage startup using frontier technologies for social impact? Apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6 by 20 February 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6. The UNICEF Venture Fund, a programme of the United Nations Children’s Fund, is seeking technology-driven startups that utilise frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, blockchain, and other digital innovations to address real-world social challenges.
The StartUp Lab accelerator aims to identify, mentor, and support startups that demonstrate bold, scalable solutions with measurable social impact, particularly in areas aligned with UNICEF’s mission and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through the programme, successful applicants will be offered the following:
- Direct engagement with UNICEF programme experts across key sectors
- Industry-led training, mentorship, and hands-on technical support
- Access to UNICEF’s global network of country offices and strategic partners
- Opportunities to engage with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Ghana
- Up to USD 6,000 in prototyping funding
- USD 15,000 scale-up funding for the top three performing startups
- Guidance on aligning products with the SDGs and contributing to the digital public goods ecosystem
Interested applicants are required to fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
- Be an early-stage startup, ideally with a functional prototype
- Be based in and serving low- and middle-income countries
- Demonstrate a commitment to open-source principles
- Develop solutions addressing one or more of the following areas:
- Urban technology
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
- Child protection
- Education
- Healthcare
- Climate resilience
- Financial inclusion
To apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6, visit the official programme application portal.
Accelerate X Fuze Challenge
Are you a tech-startup founder in East Africa with a solution in transport, logistics or mobility? Apply for the Accelerate X Fuze Challenge before 21 November 2025
The Accelerate X Fuzé Challenge is a partnership initiative between Digital Africa, the Yiri (AGL) Group and other ecosystem partners. It targets innovative start-ups from East Africa, including Rwanda, in transport and logistics. Success applicants will have the chance to pitch in Kigali and gain access to a six-month acceleration programme.
Selected participants will have the opportunity to pitch live in Kigali and be part of a top cohort of startups. The Challenge offers access to the Fuzé investment scheme through Digital Africa, which provides pre-seed funding tickets of up to €100,000 tailored for African tech start-ups. Participants will also join a six-month acceleration programme designed to help them scale operations and connect with mentors, investors and other partners.
Eligible applicants include startups founded by at least one African national and operating in or serving East Africa. Businesses should have a technology-oriented model, ideally in the mobility, transport or logistics sectors. Applicants are expected to have a minimum viable product or early traction in the market.
Interested startups can apply by submitting their profile here.