Application is now open for the 3rd cohort of the OceanHub Africa accelerator programme for Startups with innovative solutions that help overcome the overexploitation, pollution or climate change challenges faced by the ocean.
About OceanHub Acceleration Programme
The accelerator programme is on a mission to support ocean-minded startups in order to foster an environmentally conscientious and viable economy that effectively mitigates the effects of global warming, as well as overfishing and pollution of the oceans. It will give the accelerated startups an online programme that seeks sustainable pathways providing stable profits (ROIs) and options for scalable growth throughout Africa, leveraging its highly qualified network of stakeholders and facilitators.
Since its inception in 2020, OceanHub Africa, based in Cape Town, has supported 16 African ocean-minded startups in various sectors of the Blue Economy, including aquaculture, fisheries, shipbuilding, marine renewables and biotechnologies, coastal tourism and ocean sports, awareness and education, data exploration, and ocean plastic circular economy.
Programme Information
This 3rd cohort of the pan-African programme will be a hybrid event starting in mid-July with an in-person Bootcamp in Cape Town. The programme will cover training sessions on access-to-market, investment readiness in the impact space, as well as feedback sessions on pitches.
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The startups selected for the acceleration program will have the opportunity to present their innovations, pitch their businesses, and network with possible investors, policymakers, and corporations working in the ocean innovation field during this event.
Following the completion of the program, the chosen candidates will be invited to join OceanHub Africa’s alumni program, where they will receive fundraising, business development, and networking assistance.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your startup is ocean-minded: it has a direct or indirect positive impact on the oceans (addressing climate change, pollution or overexploitation of the ocean).
- You are for-profit and operate in Africa.
- You have a scalable service or product available on the market or soon to be available on the market.
- Your product or service is clearly innovative and/or your business model is disruptive.
- You are looking for investments or new markets.
What To Expect
Become part of OceanHub Africa portfolio will allow you to:
- Unlock a network of leading ocean experts, mentors (entrepreneurs, investors, innovation experts, impact experts, scientists, lawyers, etc.), impact investors and potential clients.
- Get support to fast-track your growth by acquiring new customers or running your first Proof of Concept, and scaling your business through commercial contracts and fundraises.
- Support in preparing and running investor pitches, including training sessions with investors directly.
- Access to a large portfolio of impact investors part of our ecosystems (inc. Blue Oceans Partners, Ocean14 Capital, Finca Ventures, HAVAIC, Sky Ventures, AquaSpark, Fynd Ventures, Athelia etc.) as well as corporate venture capitalist funds.
How To Apply
The deadline to apply for the program is May 22, 2022.
Visit the OceanHub Accelerator programme page to apply — https://www.oceanhub.africa/oha-program/
