Ten startups have been admitted to be part of Mastercard’s Start Path accelerator programme. The six-month program will see the companies collaborate with Mastercard’s team to integrate the company’s technology into their own solutions. The startups will also have access to Mastercard’s ecosystem of banks and merchants as well as technology and digital partners.
“Our selection by Mastercard to join the Start Path program will help us achieve our mission to provide 100 million Africans with low-cost access to basic financial services,” explained Paycode CEO Ralph Pecker, one of the selected startups.
Start Path Accelerator
The Start Path program was created by Mastercard in 2014 and has so far accepted over 250 startups, who have raised a total of $2.9 billion in post-program investments.
The new cohort of startups includes artificial intelligence companies, firms utilizing ultrasonic data-over-sound technology, innovative credit scoring and biometric solutions.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer