Microsoft launches accelerator program for East and West African startups

Microsoft has announced a new partnership with GreenHouse Labs to facilitate the acceleration of African startups that are at the pre-series A stage.  Through this collaboration, startups will be guided into accessing new markets, technology, infrastructure and requisite skills. It will also open doors to funding opportunities, knowledge and networking forums.

The eight-week program will run from 2nd May - 27th June 2022 and will be capped by a demo day session where potential investors will meet with startups founders. Planned modules for the startups include strategy and Growth, fundraising for growth-stage companies, market expansion and operations, culture and employee benefits, marketing, PR, Communication, Sales and Business Development as well as technical workshops. To take part in the programme, startups must be based in East or West Africa and are preparing to raise a Series A round. They must also be committed for the entire duration of the program.

Since its inception in 2014, GreenHouse Capital (GHC) has been at the forefront of supporting the fintech landscape in Africa, especially at the early stages of formation. GreenHouse has led investments in fast-rising companies such as Flutterwave, Max and Wallets. In March 2022, Microsoft outlined plans to support 10,000 startups across Africa through a myriad of initiatives. The initiatives will be run under its recently established Africa Transformation Office (ATO), and will also see the tech giant fast-track investment in Africa’s startup ecosystem over the next five years. 

These initiatives incorporate providing mentors, skilling content, go-to-market and business support as well as access to Microsoft Azure and Github. This support, the company said, would be spread over the next five years.

www.microsoft.com