In alignment with United States president, Joseph Biden’s, Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative, and the US Department of Commerce’s Africa strategy, NBA Africa has unveiled the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” aimed at fostering early-stage African tech startups.
The accelerator, operated by ALX Ventures, a prominent technology incubator in Africa, seeks to bolster the continent’s tech ecosystem and empower the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs. By providing access to mentorship and capital, the initiative aims to drive growth in the sports and creative industries across Africa.
NBA Africa CEO, Clare Akamanzi, made the announcement during the American Chamber of Commerce’s Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. She was joined by US Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, and US Trade and Development Agency Director, Enoh T. Ebong.
“We are thrilled to launch an accelerator program based on the continent and focused on early-stage African startups.” Akamanzi stated. “This groundbreaking new initiative reflects our commitment to expanding the African sports ecosystem, and these incredible companies will be at the forefront of shaping the future of sport on the continent.”
The Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator is open to early-stage startups developing solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital marketing within the sports and creative sectors. Interested startups can apply for participation through the accelerator’s official website until 31st May, 2024. Submissions will undergo a selection process, with the top 10 startups advancing to the next phase.
The 10 selected startups will embark on a transformative journey as they are paired with mentors from NBA Africa, ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders. These mentors will provide guidance in various areas including product development, business growth, and go-to-market strategy, equipping the companies with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive landscape.
To culminate their efforts, NBA Africa will host a Demo Day in New York City in September, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This event will provide a platform for the participating startups to showcase their products to a distinguished panel of industry leaders from the US, Africa, and around the world.
Following the pitches, the panel will deliberate and select the four winning companies, which will receive financial support, mentorship, and the opportunity to collaborate with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on current and future initiatives across the continent.
Further details about the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will be unveiled at a later date.
Source: APO Group
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
