OceanHub Africa Acceleration Program 2025

OceanHub Africa, Africa’s leading enabler of ocean-impact entrepreneurship, is excited to announce the launch of the sixth cohort of its twelve-month (12) acceleration program. This initiative aims to support up to twenty-four (24) of Africa’s most promising impact-driven for-profit startups dedicated to preserving and restoring the health of the ocean. With two (2) intakes in the year (March and July), the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Our accelerator is committed to nurturing environmentally conscious and profitable ventures. We strive to foster an economy that effectively combats global warming, overexploitation, and pollution of the oceans. Leveraging our extensive network of stakeholders and facilitators, we offer an innovative hybrid program. This program is designed to identify sustainable pathways that ensure stable profits (ROIs) and opportunities for scalable growth across Africa.

What you can expect

Joining the OceanHub Africa portfolio offers you:

• Access to a global ocean-impact ecosystem to network with leading ocean experts, mentors, self-development coaches, alumni, impact investors, and potential clients and collaborators.
• Engage with like-minded entrepreneurs within the Blue Economy space in Africa and abroad.
• Hands-on support to accelerate your growth, including customer acquisition, executing your Proof of Concept, and scaling your business through commercial contracts and fundraising.
• Hybrid-format program – combining a one-week in-person bootcamp, in-person participation in the annual Ocean Innovation Africa Summit, and remote sessions using online tools and communication methods.
• The program will be running in two phases per intake. Evaluations will determine the 12 startups who progress to the second phase (Bridge to Opportunities) for additional engagement support to see through to graduation.

Explore the startups of our previous cohorts here

What we offer

Service Package:

• Up to $75k worth of cloud services through our partner, AWS Activate.
• Over $40k worth of mechanical engineering design software licenses for prototyping and virtual testing, courtesy of our partner, 3DExperience Lab.
• Access to Dassault Systèmes, Amazon Web Services, Hubspot support, and Notion Premium.
• Legal advisory sessions with Sidley Austin, Bowmans, and Lex Mundi (multinational law firms) based on your targeted market, valued at up to $50k.
• Advisory sessions with Mercator Ocean International, Blue Oceans Partners, Ocean14 Capital, WWF-SA, Dept. of Oceanography University of Cape Town, EuroSIMA, and more!
• Self-development coaching with the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business’ Centre for Coaching.

Mentorship & Support

• Participation in an in-person training bootcamp.
• Tailored business skills and personal development 1-1 coaching.
• Sales, Product Development, Communication, and Business Development Support.
• Mentorship from our network of scientific, business, impact, and investment experts from international corporations, foundations, universities, and Intergovernmental Organizations.
• Potential to take part in Katapult Ocean’s acceleration program post OHA’s acceleration graduation.

Network

• Access to networking events and conferences, including a stand and stage time at the Ocean Innovation Africa annual summit.
• Opportunities to connect with potential clients for local and international expansion.
• Access to our international network of ocean-impact incubators/accelerators for global scaling.
• Access to key external partners.
• The potential to attend Katapult Ocean’s Future Festival in Norway.

Fund-Raising Support

• Potential funding of up to $15k.
• Support in preparing and conducting investor pitches, including training sessions with partner investors.
• Assistance in structuring deals, including reviews by transactional and commercial lawyers.
• Access to a diverse portfolio of impact investors and corporate venture capitalist funds.
• Access to a dedicated investment support with the partnership with Katapult Ocean’s investment team.
• OceanHub Africa is a nominator organization seeking to promote its cohort to The Earthshot Prize.

Note: Our program will operate in a hybrid format, combining one-week in-person bootcamp sessions, in-person participation in the annual Ocean Innovation Africa Summit, and remote sessions using online tools and communication methods.

Eligibility criteria

• Your startup is ocean-minded, having a direct or indirect positive impact on the oceans (addressing climate change, pollution, or overexploitation).
• You are a for-profit entity operating in Africa.
• You offer a scalable service or product either on the market or soon to be launched.
• Your product/service demonstrates innovation and/or your business model is disruptive.
• You are seeking investments or exploring new markets.

Selection criteria

Impact and Vision

• How much is environmental and/or social impact embedded into your culture and/or part of your long term goals.
• How impactful is your business with respect to ocean pollution, overexploitation, and/or tackling global warming and its effect on oceans.

Business Model

• Product-market fit and market potential.
• Innovative approach.
• Current traction and/or growth strategy.
• Scalability.

Technology

• IP owned.
• Business built on reliable technology(-ies) including both software and hardware.
• Innovation.
• Adaptability and scalability.

Team

• Team size.
• Team background.
• Relevance of distribution of responsibilities, priorities.
• Focus (limited participation in other programs in parallel)
• Ambition and passion.

Timeline

• 10 December 2024: Applications open for Intake 1 and Intake 2
• 16 January 2025, 30 January 2025, 8 May 2025, 22 May 2025: Online Q & A Sessions

First phase
Intake 1

• 3 February 2025: Announcement of shortlisted candidates
• 6 & 7 February 2025: Pitch Preparation for shortlisted candidates
• 13 & 14 February 2025: Final selection pitches in front of committee
• 14 February 2025: Announcement of Intake 1
• 6 & 7 March 2025: Program kick-off
• 4-11 May 2025: In-person bootcamp
• 30 June 2025: Evaluation to second Phase

Intake 2

• 28 April 2025: Announcement of shortlisted candidates
• 1 & 2 May 2025: Pitch Preparation for shortlisted candidates
• 8 & 9 May 2025: Final selection pitches in front of committee
• 9 May 2025: Announcement of Intake 2
• 5 & 6 June 2025: Program kick-off
• 3 -10 August 2025: In-person bootcamp
• 29 September 2025: Evaluation to second phase

Second phase

• November 2025 to February 2026: Bridge to opportunities
• February 2026: Graduation at Ocean Innovation Africa Summit

High-level terms

What we expect from the entrepreneur(s):

• Availability (at least 1.5 full-time equivalents dedicated to the project).
• Limited commitment to other support programs concurrently.
• Transparent communication and cooperation.
• Involvement of at least 2 key C-level team members in the acceleration program.
• Commitment to cover the travel expenses (airfare and visa) for 1 representative attending the in-person bootcamp and Ocean Innovation Africa. Accommodation and food support will be provided.
• Reporting to OceanHub Africa and other stakeholders.
• As part of our collaborative success, compensation for OHA’s support can be structured through success fees: up to 5% on subsequent fundraising (over the program duration + 2 years) and up to 10% on commercial contracts secured through OHA’s introductions. Alternatively, equity in the business can be negotiated, with the percentage to be co-defined with the startup.