Flat6Labs, the distinguished accelerator and investor known for its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is poised to embark on a transformative journey that will extend its influence across the entire African continent. This was disclosed by Faten Aïssi, Deputy Director of Flat6Labs during the conclusion to the “Scale Up Tunisia” program, Tunisian startups celebrated their achievements on October 11, 2023. The initiative, led by Flat6Labs and backed by various partners, including the Fast project, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the French Development Agency (AFD), marked a significant milestone in Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Technical support was provided by Expertise France, and collaboration with the Tunisian Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) further enriched the program.
Empowering the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The primary objective of the “Scale Up Tunisia” program was to strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape in Tunisia. It placed a particular emphasis on fostering female entrepreneurship and regional development. The results were remarkable, with the program leading to the creation of 63 jobs, with almost half of them filled by talented Tunisian women.
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Over the course of 18 months, 20 startups, including seven led by women, underwent an intensive learning process. They received more than 500 hours of tailored coaching from 32 seasoned mentors. The coaching encompassed vital areas like agile methodology, sales strategies, market access, investment readiness, and legal and regulatory compliance.
Creating Opportunities and Access to Global Markets
Faten Aïssi, Deputy Director of Flat6Labs, lauded the program’s impact, highlighting how it opened doors for Tunisian startups on the global stage. She emphasized the role of the program in facilitating access to international markets and supporting startups in raising critical funding. Notably, five startups managed to secure over 2 million Tunisian dinars in investments, showcasing the program’s tangible benefits.
According to Aïssi, the leading venture capital firm is gearing up to venture into Africa, further solidifying its commitment to entrepreneurship across the region.
Collaboration with Esteemed Partners
Crucially, the “Scale Up Tunisia” initiative garnered robust support from prestigious partners. The Fast project, IFC (a World Bank Group member), and funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) were instrumental in making the program a success. The involvement of Expertise France and collaboration with the Tunisian Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) provided essential technical support, further enhancing the program’s reach and effectiveness.
Showcasing Innovative Ventures
The closing ceremony of “Scale Up Tunisia” was a pivotal moment for the startups nurtured by the program. It provided a platform for these budding entrepreneurs to present their innovative projects to both Tunisian and international investors. This exposure is crucial for startups as it eases access to the necessary funding required for their continued growth and success.
Diverse Entrepreneurial Pitches
The startups’ pitches covered a diverse range of sectors and industries. Notable presentations included:
- Kamioun: Founded and led by CEO Fares Belghith, Kamioun operates as a mobile platform serving small retailers and restaurateurs in Greater Tunis. The platform optimizes the supply chain, resulting in faster orders and cost-effective deliveries. The startup has exciting plans to expand its services, including internal stock management and bill payment solutions.
- Anavid: Co-founded by Ahmed Chaari, Anavid specializes in artificial intelligence and real-time video surveillance analysis. The company focuses primarily on the retail sector, aiming to reduce losses associated with shoplifting by providing real-time video analysis, which offers valuable insights to store managers.
- Dabchy: Under the leadership of CEO and co-founder Ameni Mansouri, Dabchy serves as a marketplace for buying and selling new or used fashion items for women and children. With a significant user base, this e-commerce platform actively promotes sustainable fashion and recently expanded its operations into Egypt.
- Ijeni: Safi Negra, CEO and co-founder of Ijeni, leads a multiservice platform in Tunisia that connects local service providers with individuals and businesses seeking specific services. Ijeni offers a wide range of services, including cleaning, gardening, beauty and wellness, healthcare, and handyman services. The platform’s primary goal is to simplify access to high-quality local services while offering service providers an online platform to broaden their reach.
- We-Settle: Co-founder and COO Wela Moula leads We-Settle, a fintech startup offering a modular solution for processing and paying bills. The platform aids small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in efficiently managing their digital invoices, saving them significant time through AI-driven invoice processing and electronic signatures. Clients can make direct payments through online banking and monitor their payment status in real-time.
The “Scale Up Tunisia” program, powered by Flat6Labs and supported by a network of esteemed partners, has demonstrated its value in empowering Tunisian startups. The proactive approach to supporting female entrepreneurs and regional development has led to concrete job creation and significant investments. The program’s positive impact is evident, and the future expansion plans of Flat6Labs into Africa reflect a continuing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in the region. The startups presented at the closing ceremony showcase the immense potential and creativity within Tunisia’s entrepreneurial landscape.
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Flat6Labs is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm that operates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. They are currently running the most renowned startup programs in the region, investing in more than 100 innovative and technology-driven startups annually 1. Flat6Labs has locations in Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the con