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  • Mastercard EdTech Fellowship applications opens

    Mastercard EdTech Fellowship applications opens

    For the second year running, the Ed-Tech Fellowship Programme in Nigeria, co-hosted by Co-Creation Hub (ccHub) and the Mastercard Foundation, is accepting applications.

    A US$15 million ed-tech accelerator initiative will be launched in Kenya and Nigeria by CcHub and the Mastercard Foundation in February 2023 as part of the Mastercard Foundation Ed-Tech Fellowship Programme.

    In 2023, 12 startups from Nigeria and 12 from Kenya received initial support from the fellowship. Over the next two years, the support will be extended to 36 ed-tech companies. 

    Read also: Mastercard, illicocash to launch virtual card program in DRC

    Currently in its second year, the fellowship is seeking innovative ideas from startups in Nigeria that have ed-tech solutions that could revolutionise learning across all levels, from preschool to the classroom.

    Startups based in Nigeria must prioritise serving the African market. Problems in elementary, secondary, informal, and tertiary education, as well as in corporate learning and vocational skill training, should be addressed by their solutions.

    Fellows in the 2024 class who participate in the accelerator program will have access to a network of investors, coaching and mentorship from industry experts, and chances to network. They will also be able to raise $100,000 without having to give any equity.

    Participants in the accelerator program from the 2024 cohort of Fellows will be eligible to receive:

    Advisory services are provided by experts in the fields of learning science, product development, sales and marketing, and talent management.

    Guidance and instruction from prosperous entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

    Networking opportunities.

    Opportunity to connect with a group of generous investors. 

    $50,000 in funding that does not require any equity.

    Application is open until February 17th.

    The purpose of the fellowship

    The fellowship was established by the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning with the aim of supporting the development of a groundbreaking education technology ecosystem in Africa. For the benefit of students, teachers, and EdTech pioneers all over the continent, we aim to promote creativity and effective methods of integrating technology into the educational process. 

    To guarantee a diverse range of solutions addressing key issues in the EdTech space, the selection process for the cohort was carefully designed. Digital content, learning management systems, workforce development, online learning resources, tutoring, and support for STEAM education are just a few of the many topics covered by the 12 selected startups.

    Throughout the hiring process, CcHUB and the Mastercard Foundation worked to increase gender parity and promote inclusion. Out of the twelve companies chosen, nine had female founders or senior executives as a result of this concerted effort. 

    To help them grow their businesses and make a bigger splash in Nigeria and beyond, the selected startups will get seed money and access to expert advisors. Starting today in Lagos, the program will consist of a six-month accelerator phase run by the CcHUB team and a further twelve months of advisory support.

    In order to help African EdTech companies tackle problems in K-12, higher education, and vocational training, the Mastercard Foundation has established the EdTech Fellowship Program, which includes this collaboration. 

    The program is hopeful that these solutions will help address some of the most persistent problems in African education, including low enrollment, poor quality, and a lack of accessible, high-quality educational opportunities for the continent’s youth.

  • Applications are now opened for CyberGirls Fellowship 2024

    Applications are now opened for CyberGirls Fellowship 2024

    Application submissions are currently being accepted for the CyberGirls Fellowship Programme 2024.

    The CyberGirls Fellowship is a free initiative that lasts for one year and teaches young women and girls between the ages of 18 and 28 highly sought-after cybersecurity skills. For a future in cybersecurity, this prepares them, and they can take advantage of good job opportunities in Africa and around the world.

    The programme aims to improve the social and economic situation of African girls by giving them training, mentoring, and job chances. As a fellow, you will learn about hacking through hands-on experience, prepare for certification, and maybe even get paid internship or job shadowing opportunities during the year.

    While you’re in the CyberGirls Fellowship, you’ll learn a lot, but you’ll also grow and learn new things. The programme starts with the basics of cybersecurity and then moves on to more specialized topics like Cloud Security, DevSecOps, and Vulnerability Assessment. The curriculum is flexible enough to change based on the fellows’ hobbies, so that they can get a personalized and in-depth education.

    Read also: Google accepts applications for N75m Hustle Academy Fund

    CyberGirls Fellowship Application

    Step1: Complete application form

    Step 2: Complete the Cybersecurity Essentials Course

    Step 3: Complete Identity Verification and Recommendation Form

    Step 4: Review personal statement and application video

    Cost

    The CyberGirls Fellowship is provided at no cost. There is no requirement for pre-admission or charges associated with the programme.

    When attendees are required to attend international conferences, the Foundation will cover the costs of their visas, travel, and accommodations. Fellows are expected to foot the bill, although they may offer assistance obtaining visas for voluntary in-person meetings.

    MEST Africa opens applications for startup pitch competition

    Join the fellowship if;

    To qualify for the fellowship, you must be a woman between the ages of 18 and 28 as of March 25, 2024, be a citizen or resident of an African country, have a strong command of the English language, have graduated from high school or secondary school, be able to handle intensive hands-on technical training, have internet access, and be jobless. Users with disabilities that do not prevent them from using computers are also welcome to apply.

  • Applications open for second GSMA climate resilience fund

    Applications open for second GSMA climate resilience fund

    The problem of climate change has triggered a grave crisis on a worldwide scale, which has led to the collapse of entire nations and the uprooting of untold numbers of people. As a means towards achieving this goal, the GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation is currently operating in its second phase.

    The fund provides financial assistance to newly established businesses in the fields of technology and social entrepreneurship in the regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. This programme aims to create strategies that make use of digital technology, particularly mobile technology, in order to improve the capacity of communities to adapt to the effects of climate change and to withstand its impacts.

    The selected organisations will get a comprehensive support package, which will include financial assistance in the form of grants. The grant award ranges from 100,000 to 250,000 British Pounds, which is around $125,000 to $200,000. 

    The organizations that were chosen will be provided with individualized technical assistance, possibilities for peer learning, and assistance in developing links with mobile operators and public sector organizations.

    In addition to this, the programme promises to increase the exposure of entrepreneurs in the eyes of potential business partners and investors by highlighting them in the events, publications, and social media. This is a follow-up to the first edition, which was held successfully the year before and resulted in eight African start-up companies receiving investment. 

    GSMA Innovation is a product of a collaborative effort between two well-known worldwide organisations. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the United Kingdom (FCDO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 

    Through the testing and implementation of innovative digital technologies at smaller scales, the programme also aims to have a positive effect on the socioeconomic and environmental environments. Especially in areas where the inhabitants are the most vulnerable to the effects of the climate as it now or as it may become in the future.

    Read also: Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) calls for applications from innovators

    About GSMA

    The non-profit GSM Association (GSMA) represents mobile network carriers globally. It has around 750 full members and 400 associate members in the mobile ecosystem. Industry programming, working groups, and advocacy represent GSMA members.

    History

    The original GSM MoU: “A Pan-European 900MHz Digital Cellular Mobile Telecommunications Service” (7 September 1987).

    The GSMA was founded in 1995 as the ‘GSM MoU Association’ to support and promote mobile operators adopting the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) standard for cellular networks. 13 operators from 12 countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 1987 to adopt GSM for mobile services.

    Governance and membership

    GSM-licensed mobile operators can join the GSMA. Its membership includes 750 such operators worldwide. Non-operator mobile ecosystem enterprises can become GSMA associate members. These include handset, device, software, equipment, Internet, and financial services, healthcare, media, transport, and utility corporations. This category has 400 GSMA members.

    The biannually elected GSMA board contains 25 representatives from the world’s top operator groups and chosen smaller operators. In January 2022, Telefónica CEO José María Álvarez-Pallete López became GSMA Chairman. Mats Granryd became GSMA Director General in January 2016.

    Reeple obtains funding support from Zenith Bank

    Programmes and advocacy

    The GSMA manages industry activities with its members to scale and interoperate emerging mobile technologies. ‘Future Networks’, ‘Identity’, and ‘Internet of Things’ are its three active programmes.

    It runs industry working groups on roaming and connectivity, fraud and security, and intellectual property, as well as other specialty committees and organisations.

    The GSMA promotes mobile industry policy and regulation to governments and institutions. Its declared goals in this field are to guarantee that mobile telecoms “policy and regulatory frameworks are fair, flexible and future-proof”; that radio spectrum is made available for mobile services “in a timely and fair manner”; and to promote mobile services in emerging markets.GSMA’s Industry Purpose programme supports UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    Events

    In 2019, over 109,000 people attended the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress Barcelona (MWC Barcelona), the mobile industry’s biggest annual event. It began in 1987.

    Since 2006, Barcelona has hosted the event in Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuïc. The event set a fourth Guinness World Record for the largest carbon-neutral exhibition in 2019.

    The GSMA organises MWC Barcelona, MWC Shanghai, MWC Las Vegas, and the ‘Mobile 360’ series of regional events.

  • Applications open for OceanHub Africa accelerator program

    Applications open for OceanHub Africa accelerator program

    Applications for the fourth iteration of the eight-month OceanHub Africa accelerator project are now being accepted. 

    This programme will provide financial assistance to up to 12 of Africa’s most potentially impact for-profit firms focused on ocean conservation and restoration. You can find applications here.

    The OceanHub Africa accelerator is dedicated to assisting ocean-focused entrepreneurs. It chose its third cohort in October of last year, with the sole purpose of cultivating an environmentally benign and viable economy that effectively mitigates the effects of global warming as well as overfishing and pollution of the oceans.

    By leveraging its highly qualified network of stakeholders and facilitators, it will provide accelerated startups with an online curriculum that seeks sustainable pathways that provide consistent profits (ROIs) and chances for scalable growth across Africa. This would be accomplished by exploiting its network.

    Read also: Amazon announces a worldwide AI startup accelerator

    What is Expected in the OceanHub Africa Accelerator Program

    A network of leading ocean experts, mentors, impact investors, and potential customers will be made available to the selected companies, along with up to US$75,000 worth of cloud service from AWS Activate and over US$40,000 of value of mechanical engineering design software licenses for prototyping and virtual testing through partner 3DExperience Lab.

    They will be able to participate in networking events and conferences, with a stand and stage time at the Ocean Innovation Africa annual summit, as well as engage in an in-person training bootcamp, access tailored business skills and personal development via one-on-one coaching, and access customized business skills and personal development via one-on-one coaching.

    In addition, there is the possibility of receiving finance of up to ten thousand United States dollars, support in preparing and conducting investor pitches, in addition to support in structuring deals. As a component of its ecosystems, OceanHub provides users with access to a sizable pool of impact investors.

    A scalable service or product that is either already on the market or will soon be available on the market is required of applicant startups. Ocean-mindedness and a for-profit business model are other prerequisites. Applications can be submitted through this page until May 14th, and the eight-month programme will commence in July.

    Co-Creation Hub’s $15 million programme includes Nigerian, Kenyan edtech startups

    Importance of Accelerator Program

    In the realm of startups, accelerators are seen as important factors that contribute to success. In point of fact, the majority of new businesses fail.

    The founders of a business that put in the effort to investigate their options and pick the most suitable accelerator programme for their company are setting themselves up to take advantage of a broad variety of potential advantages. Not only can an accelerator give significant coaching, direction, and resources, but it can also help entrepreneurs create key contacts and gain access to a wider network of investors and possible partners. 

    This is especially helpful for firms that are still in the early stages of their development. Participating in an accelerator programme can also help young companies improve their business models, the products and services they offer, and their overall plans. This could, in the long term, lead to higher growth and more sustainable success.

  • UNICEF’s Ghana Startup Lab is now accepting applications

    UNICEF’s Ghana Startup Lab is now accepting applications

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana is now accepting applications for the next group of the UNICEF StartUp Lab accelerator program. This is being done in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency and MEST Africa.

    UNICEF’s StartUp Lab helps businesses in Ghana that use technology to make a difference and work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for children and young people.

    Benefits for participating startups

    There is cash available for each participating startup of up to GHS25,000 for prototyping.

    People who participate in the StartUp Lab can improve their business, technology, and communication skills. They will also be able to get feedback on how well their social impact and technology-driven solutions fit the problem they are trying to solve.

    It gives entrepreneurs a six-month curriculum that includes “Work Weeks,” which are intensive boot camps in Accra, as well as incubation at partner hubs, mentorship, and virtual learning sessions.

    Read also: Singaporean Tech startups now have an edge in South Africa

    The UNICEF StartUp Lab once again delivers a one-of-a-kind product by combining company incubation with extensive technical experience and systems understanding in the social sector. This is made possible by the reach of UNICEF’s and KOICA’s relationships.

    Young people who participate in the program will be able to talk to program specialists from UNICEF and KOICA and learn about how UN organizations can help.

    Participants not only get access to networks that can help them with their work, but they also get the chance to see if the impact-focused business they run meets the needs of the development community right now.

    Under the auspices of the KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana Project, the UNICEF StartUp Lab has received funding and assistance. MEST Africa is in charge of carrying it out.

    In addition to financial and priceless technical support from UNICEF, KOICA, and MEST experts, participants stand a chance to gain free AWS credits; support from developers; to be featured on UNICEF blogs and websites; an opportunity to present products at UN events; dedicated support to apply for a Digital Public Good status; and dedicated support to apply for the $100,000 equity-free UNICEF Venture Fund funding. All of these benefits are on top of the money and invaluable technical help that UNICEF gives to participants.

    Nairobi-based Accelerator, ‘The Baobab Network’ Invests $200,000 In Four African Startups

    Qualifications for UNICEF Startup Lab applications

    Before a new business can be considered for the program, it must meet all of the following requirements:

    • The business must have been in existence for at least a year.
    • Requires the company to be Ghanaian-registered (no NGOs, foundations, or individuals).
    • The use of technology as the primary driver of the business is required.
    • It must have an open-source solution and a business model that has a social impact that meets at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    According to the program’s brochure, firms that are willing to make their solutions open-source and startups with female founders or co-founders are especially encouraged to apply.

    It was also said that the program’s goal is to include new businesses from all of Ghana’s regions.

    However, the actual onboarding of qualifying companies takes place in December, and the program will come to an end between January and June of 2023. The application period will stay open until October 21, 2022.

    interested applicants for any startups can apply Here