#FastTrackTech en Afrique

Support the internationalisation of tech start-ups

The #FastTrackTech initiative in Africa was launched in October 2019 by the Geneva-based International Trade Centre, which will support 2000 entrepreneurs and 200 digital start-ups (fintech, agro-technology, e-health, etc.) in Benin, Ethiopia, Côte d’ Ivoire, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia over the next two years. All will be accompanied in their growth with an emphasis on their internationalisation.

Join us!

The selected tech start-ups will benefit from training and counselling sessions to support them in their internationalisation, as well as coaching focused on the acquisition of managerial and commercial skills.

Startups will be linked to investors, partners and potential customers at regional and international level. We will also work with key technology hubs and governments to promote an ecosystem that supports digital entrepreneurship.

Through this call for applications, #FastTrackTech Africa will select tech start-ups that will be segmented according to their maturity level and will benefit from the following services according to their categorization:

1. Growth category: mature start-ups that generate income, with potential for expansion to new markets and/or new products.

2. Entrepreneuriat category: existence of a viable minimum product (MVP), no or little revenue, acquisition and retention of customers in progress.

➔ The star-up growth will have access to targeted training & coaching and opportunities for internationalization in the form of participation in major tech events (Transform Africa, AfricArena, VivaTech, 4YFN/Mobile World Congress, SLUSH, etc. ), regional events and investor relations, in order to develop their activities and bring them into contact with funding opportunities (#FastTrackTech Africa does not offer funding).

➔ The start-ups Entrepreneurship will receive a mix of online and on-site training and targeted coaching on different topics related to their development. They will also be presented to investors.

► ► ► ► ► ► A start-up growth by country will be sponsored to expose on our FastTrackTech stand to 4YFN, the flagship event dedicated to start-ups in the framework of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

► Who can participate?

The tech start-ups that meet the following criteria are eligible:

➔ Using digital technologies-either a technological innovation or a process of innovation and/or product development or using digital to solve problems in finance, agriculture, health, education, e-commerce, etc. (software, mobile applications, etc.). Digital innovation is preferred.

➔ Have a MVP (a viable minimum product), which ideally generated sales, even if it is only a limited amount

➔ Ambient to expand internationally

➔ Have been launched in the last 3 years-ideally

➔ Having a social goal is more, but not necessary

* A viable minimum product (MVP) is a product with basic functionality that is tested or being tested with potential customers and will evolve into a commercial product.

#FastTrackTech and its partners reserve the opportunity to reconsider these criteria given the number and quality of applications.

►What is the selection process?

Applications will be evaluated by #FastTrackTechexperts. Your application and all information relating to it, in particular financial data, will be treated confidentially by the #FastTrackTech team of the International Trade Centre, a specialized agency of the United Nations.

If inaccurate information is provided, this will result in the disqualification of the start-up, even if it was initially selected.

Partner organizations will participate in the process of promoting the declaration of interest, but not the selection process itself, which will be managed By the ITC.

To apply, fill out the questionnaire below. Be sure to go to the end of the questionnaire because if you do not, your application will not be admissible.

The deadline for submitting applications is November 20, 2019.

►CONTACT

If you have questions or would like to report problems with the form, please contact:

Benin: Ms. Haifa Ben Salem (hsalem@intracen.org) – launch in Cotonou the week of 2 December 2019
Côte d’ Ivoire: Mr. Martin Labbé (labbe@intracen.org) – launch in Abidjan the week of November 24, 2019
Mali: Ms. Cathy Sall (csall@intracen.org) – launch in Bamako on the week of December 16, 2019

For more information about #FastTrackTech: http://www.intracen.org/e-Trade-for-Impact/Fast-Tracking-Digital-Entrepreneurship-in-Africa/

This project is funded by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands Trust Fund IV.

To work with you very soon!

#FastTrackTech Africa Team