Accelerators and incubators help early-stage startups grow faster with mentoring, training, connections and sometimes funding. Africa has hundreds of programmes run by tech hubs, global accelerators, corporates, universities and development agencies. Here is how they work and how to pick and apply to the right one.
Accelerator vs incubator
| Incubator | Accelerator | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Idea or very early | Early product with some traction |
| Duration | Often open-ended or many months | Fixed cohort, often around three months |
| Focus | Developing the idea and business basics | Rapid growth and fundraising readiness |
| Funding | Sometimes none; may offer workspace | Often a small investment for equity |
| Ending | Gradual graduation | Demo day pitch to investors |
What programmes offer
- Mentorship from founders, investors and industry experts
- Training in product, sales, finance, fundraising and legal basics
- Investor access, including demo days and introductions
- Funding, either equity investment or non-dilutive grants
- Perks such as cloud computing credits and software discounts
- Network of fellow founders and alumni
What they take in return
Equity-based accelerators usually invest a fixed amount in exchange for a percentage of the company, typically through a SAFE or shares. Some corporate and donor-funded programmes take no equity. Always compare the value of the support with the stake you give up, and read the agreement carefully.
Types of programmes in Africa
- Global accelerators with Africa-focused or open cohorts
- Big tech programmes run by large technology companies, often equity-free with cloud credits
- Local tech hubs in cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Kigali, Accra, Cape Town and Cairo
- Corporate programmes from banks, telecoms and insurers seeking partners
- Sector programmes for fintech, agritech, health, climate or women-led startups
- Government and development-backed programmes
How to choose a programme
- Check whether alumni raised funding afterwards and grew
- Speak to two or three alumni founders
- Look at the quality of the mentors and investor network
- Compare terms: equity taken, money invested, time commitment
- Make sure the sector and stage match yours
How to write a strong application
- Be specific about the problem and who suffers from it
- Show traction with numbers: users, revenue, growth, pilots or waitlists
- Explain why your team is suited to solve it
- State what you want from the programme and how you will use it
- Keep the video short and clear if one is requested
- Apply early; some programmes review applications on a rolling basis
Avoid scams
Legitimate programmes do not charge application fees to guarantee acceptance or require you to pay for investor meetings. Verify any programme through its website, alumni and partner organisations.
Next, learn what investors expect in Startup Funding Stages Explained, or return to our guide to starting a tech startup in Africa.
