Telecel Group has announced that it has partnered with Startupbootcamp AfriTech through its subsidiary Africa Startup Initiative Program ‘ASIP’ to launch the Africa Startup Initiative Program Accelerator (ASIP Accelerator). ASIP’s mission is to identify and support Africa’s most talented entrepreneurs working in the telecommunications and technology sectors to build successful companies on a large scale. The collaboration with Startupbootcamp AfriTech will provide access to the leading accelerator in Africa for early stage startups around the continent.

“Telecel is committed to expanding the tech ecosystem and we will help startups to scale by providing industry expertise and access to markets across our networks. We are very excited to partner with Startupbootcamp AfriTech to leverage their expertise and access to the most disruptive startups on the African continent.” She continued “Telecel strongly believes in collaboration and we look forward to working with Innovative Corporate Partners as part of this Consortium,” Eleanor Azar, Executive Board Deputy of Telecel Group said. 

Here Is What You Need To Know

• The SBC model maximizes “CSC” Corporate Startup Collaboration, and the ASIP Accelerator is now actively trying to join the consortium with a small group of leading corporate innovators. 

• FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, eCommerce, Digital Health, and CleanTech will be main industry verticals, and these will be refined based on the corporate partners’ focus.

• As an anchor partner, Telecel will provide the participating startups with access to markets through their continent-wide mobile services.

• Via deep business experience, supremacy in vertical markets, executive mentors, commercial contracts, and more, new corporate members who join the consortium as Founding Partners will offer additional benefits to startups.

• Corporates who join as Founding Partners will reap significant benefits through access to the most disruptive startups on the African continent. The partners in the first SBC AfriTech Accelerator engaged in more than 60 pilots, POC’s, and commercial contracts with 29 startups over the last 3 years. These startups were selected from more than 4500 applicants representing 80 countries. 90% of the alumni are still operating and growing, and 40% have raised follow-on investment rounds.

“SBC pioneered the concept of multi-corporate backed accelerators, and starting in 2017, we proved that Corporate Startup Collaboration in Africa can yield extraordinary results. We are honored to have Telecel as the anchor partner and are looking for Companies on the forefront of their industries to join as Founding Partners,” Philip Kiracofe, CEO of Startupbootcamp AfriTech said. 

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• The ASIP Accelerator Program, powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech, intends to start scouting within the next month and the corporate Founding Partners will help determine the key focus areas of the startup applicants. 

• Corporate Partners are also invited to join the selection committee which determines the final 10 startups that participate in the 3-month ASIP Accelerator Program. 

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