Telecel Group announced today that through its subsidiary Africa Startup Initiative Program “ASIP”, it has partnered with Startupbootcamp AfriTech to launch the Africa Startup Initiative Program Accelerator (ASIP Accelerator). The goal for ASIP is to discover Africa’s most talented entrepreneurs operating in the fields related to telecom and technology, and help them create successful companies at scale. The partnership with Startupbootcamp AfriTech will provide early stage startups across the continent with access to the leading accelerator in Africa.

The SBC model maximizes Corporate Startup Collaboration “CSC” and the ASIP Accelerator is now actively seeking a select group of leading corporate innovators to join the consortium. Key industry verticals will include FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, eCommerce, Digital Health, and CleanTech, and these will be refined based on the focus of the corporate partners. Telecel, as the anchor partner, will provide the participating startups with access to markets through their mobile services across the continent. New corporate partners that join the consortium as Founding Partners would provide further benefits to startups through deep industry expertise, dominance in vertical markets, executive mentors, commercial contracts, and more.

Corporates who join as Founding Partners will reap significant benefits through access to the most disruptive startups on the African continent. The partners in the first SBC AfriTech Accelerator engaged in more than 60 pilots, POC’s, and commercial contracts with 29 startups over the last 3 years. These startups were selected from more than 4500 applicants representing 80 countries. 90% of the alumni are still operating and growing, and 40% have raised follow-on investment rounds.

Eleanor Azar, Executive Board Deputy of Telecel Group said "Telecel is committed to expanding the tech ecosystem and we will help startups to scale by providing industry expertise and access to markets across our networks. We are very excited to partner with Startupbootcamp AfriTech to leverage their expertise and access to the most disruptive startups on the African continent." She continued "Telecel strongly believes in collaboration and we look forward to working with Innovative Corporate Partners as part of this Consortium."

Philip Kiracofe, CEO of Startupbootcamp AfriTech added "SBC pioneered the concept of multi-corporate backed accelerators, and starting in 2017, we proved that Corporate Startup Collaboration in Africa can yield extraordinary results. We are honored to have Telecel as the anchor partner and are looking for Companies on the forefront of their industries to join as Founding Partners."

The ASIP Accelerator Program, powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech, intends to start scouting within the next month and the corporate Founding Partners will help determine the key focus areas of the startup applicants. Corporate Partners are also invited to join the selection committee which determines the final 10 startups that participate in the 3-month ASIP Accelerator Program. This is a unique opportunity to bring startup innovation into your organization, and SBC AfriTech will help facilitate successful pilot projects with your organization.

Join us today to accelerate the African tech ecosystem!

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ABOUT the ASIP Accelerator Powered by SBC AfriTech

This program will be 100% virtual and the first cohort will be run entirely through remote learning and mentoring - from the initial scouting process through Demo Day. SBC AfriTech will source scalable and innovative technology solutions applicable to diversified financial services, insurance, logistics, agriculture, digital health, and other rapidly changing industries. With this new and unique program, Startupbootcamp brings together top startups from around the world, a mentor network of renowned industry experts and entrepreneurs and major players in banking, insurance, consultancy, leasing and technology as founding partners. Startupbootcamp will provide each team with EUR 15,000, free office space, access to funding and a network of industry partners, investors and venture capital firms. The accelerator is anchored by leading corporate sponsors Telecel that will support and grow the program and selected startups. Global sponsors include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Cisco.

ABOUT Startupbootcamp AfriTech

Startupbootcamp AfriTech was launched in 2017 as the first multi corporate-backed pan-African startup accelerator. We run world class accelerator programmes, working with some of the most disruptive startups on the continent. We provide access to our global network of corporate partners, investors and mentors. 

ABOUT Telecel Group

Telecel Group operates in four different lines of Business all under the telecom industry: (1) Telecel Mobile, owns and operates several mobile operators in Africa. (2) Telecel Global, offers a multitude of services to MNOs such as VOICE, SMS, DATA, IPTV, international traffic, VAS, and Quadruple play. (3) Telecel Play Application with an African identity innovating the E-Commerce. (4) Africa Startup initiative program, which targets innovative startups in the region of Africa while offering them support and guidance.

For more information on the Telecel Group program, visit ​www.telecelgroup.com

ABOUT Africa Startup Initiative Program

ASIP is a program founded by Moh Damush, Telecel Group CEO as a CSR activity. ASI Program contributes in a meaningful way to the African Continent to support the young Startups whose innovative ideas are creating a difference in their communities, exposes them to the international organizations, and bridges the knowledge and expertise to allow them to attract partners that can add value to their Startups. Our goal is to discover Africa’s most talented entrepreneurs operating in the fields of telecom and technology, and help them create successful companies at scale. We support the startups via our Accelerator and Investment Programs. The Accelerator program provides the startups with coaching and mentoring, workshops, access to markets, and education. The Investment Program emphasizes access to investors, funding, grants, angel investments, and venture capital.

We want to expose the pre-seed companies to the international organizations and bridge the knowledge and expertise to attract partners that can add value and transform the entrepreneurial concepts into sustainable businesses that serve the community and the society at large. Our ability to leverage relationships on behalf of our program participants to provide them with boundless access to investors and markets will be unmatched.

The startups will be transformed into well-established firms that introduce the most innovative solutions in Africa and become drivers of economic growth in the community. For more information on the ASIP, visit w​ww.asiprogram.com