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YTED ACCELERATOR PROGRAM 2023-2024

The program is open to students and young professionals in various sectors, including but not limited to FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, Climate-tech, eCommerce, Digital Health, GreenTech, Mobility, digitizing the informal economy and empowering artisans.

We scout, skill, and scale early-stage startups through intensive coaching and opportunities for pilots and Proof of Concept projects that subsequently open the doors for longer-term commercial commercial agreements.

Applications now closed.

More About YTED Acceleration program

Over the last 10 years, 250 African startups have completed the YTED Accelerator.

90% of the alumni are still operating and scaling, and collectively, YTED portfolio companies have raised more than $138 Millionin follow-on funding. This track record makes YTED one of the most successful early-stage programs on the continent and for investors, the fund has performed among the top 5% of Silicon Valley VC funds!
More importantly, that track record translates to impact on Africa. ASIP Cohort 3 made up of 11 startups from 7 countries, created over 9,600 jobs across the continent. They achieved this at an average age of 31 and with 70% of them having women in leadership.

Program Structure

Cohort of up to 10 startups of students and young professionals will be selected from across the Africa receive training in YTED methodology on business fundamentals, leadership, investment readiness, and impact.

Program is delivered primarily in-person:
7 weeks in-person residency in Dakar, Senegal
5 weeks virtual program meetings

WHAT IS IN FOR YOU

If selected to join the Program, you will have access to the following:

Funding as capital to develop and launch a minimum viable product MVP: grant funding valued at $4,000 USD with the scope of additional $5,000 USD for the highest performing start-ups in the program
Additional technical support from Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Access to a world-class network of mentors and advisors
Bespoke training on: Business fundamentals Investment readiness impact definition and measurement Leadership
World-wide community of impact-driven entrepreneurs
Workshops with legal experts
Pro bono consulting support from Deloitte
Access to one-on-one coaching for each founder with certified leadership coaches

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for the track if the following apply:

INDIVIDUAL

We are looking for students and young professionals that are building scalable solutions that are tackling challenges related in various sectors in Africa.
Location: Must be operating in any country in Sub-Saharan Africa
Stage: Must have a market-validated idea or a minimum viable product that has the potential to scale
Must be fluent in English
Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program
Program Engagement: Must be able to participate in all activities and programming sessions (both in residency and virtually)
Impact: Must be developing a product and venture which contributes towards 1 or more of the UNs 17 SDGs

TIMELINES

Applications open: September 5^th
Applications information session: September 18^th
Applications close: September 30^th at 1700 CAT.
Virtual pitching: October 16^th - 17^th

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria.

Impact -does the idea have potential to make meaningful change in solving challenges in communities?
Mindset - is the applicant curious and collaborative? Are they driven by the problem with a willingness to learn and grow with their idea?
Breaking the mold - is the idea a pioneering way of tackling a social challenge or is it tackling a traditionally underinvested issue?
Sustainability - does the idea have the potential to be sustainable at scale?

Have a question about the program? Email us on contact@yted.org