MentorPitch Program

MentorPitch is a pre-acceleration program designed for innovative African startups that have recently built their MVP and are already generating revenue. This comprehensive 12-week program, structured around the POEM Framework, runs biannually and offers participants the opportunity to get mentored by leading professionals and secure investment from the Angels@TVCLabs Syndicate and their co-investment partners.

This program focuses on helping startup founders improve their product or service offerings, grow their customer base, and prepare for pre-seed funding from early-stage investors, some of whom serve as mentors in the program. Founders who have already onboarded customers and received previous funding from family, friends, and fans receive guidance on building the strategic and organisational structures of their startups through an interactive mentoring method called PitchBack, complemented by one-on-one sessions, data room reviews, and in-person hangout events.

Through the program, participants develop a Digital Data Room containing their Video Pitch, Pitch Deck, POEM FactSheet, Business Plan, and other due diligence requirements for investment readiness. These resources are created through weekly activities designed to enhance the startups’ preparedness for funding.

By the end of the program, startups are equipped to seek pre-seed funding from local and international early-stage investors starting with the angels who provided them with mentorship during the program. This unique approach ensures that participants are well-prepared to attract and secure the investments necessary for their growth and success from compatible investors that will nurture them along the way.

Who Should Apply?

If you’re a founder with a tech-enabled solution in EduTech, AgriTech, Renewables, Digital Trade, Clean Tech, Smart Cities, SaaS, or Logistics using AI, VR, AR, or IoT, and have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with customers and 6-24 months of revenue, we want to hear from you!

Your startup should be active in at least one Nigerian state, have a coachable team (including at least one female founder) with 12+ months invested, and be targeting a large or fast-growing market. Your business should be legally registered, have raised ₦1M+ from Founder, Family, Friends & Fans (FFFF), and plan to raise ₦25M-₦400M in equity or other forms by the program’s year end.

Lastly, ensure your current valuation does not exceed ₦1.5 billion.

MentorPitch is based of the POEM Framework.

The POEM Framework® is a simple tool created by Tomi Davies (TD) for understanding technology-enabled startup ventures by identifying core strategic areas for startup development. The framework identifies five pillars that make up the successful construction of a startup.