SaaS Accelerator Program: Africa

Level up your SaaS startup with our SaaS Acceleration Program in Africa and start an intense journey.

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Startup Wise Guys SaaS acceleration Africa program will provide an optimized approach that delivers tailored guidance and support from world class mentors and experts. Our accelerator program will help you navigate the bumps in the company building road, revolutionize your go-to-market strategy and encourage you to bring your A game. 

We know you’re passionate about what you do and this program will provide you access to an constantly expanding network of like minded founders, practitioners and investors and encourage value driven partnerships with people who see the world just like you do!

 

Key benefits

Get funding

Up to €100K investment for equity (70K cash + 30K program) with a follow-on possibility.

Grow your knowledge

Get access to our program and grow thanks to weekly’s 1:1 support in areas like sales, marketing, pitching...

Make connections

Get access to top notch industry experts joining a network of +600 founders, +350 mentors and +200 investors.

About the program

Application Process

Applications open on March 14th, 2023. The deadline to apply is September 7th, 2023. The team then reviews all applications carefully. If there is a potential fit, we will reach out to schedule an interview.

Apply now

Note: applications are checked on first come first serve basis.

Week 1-5 / Module 1

Setting KPI’s, Company Building, Get together, and Market Engineering Sprint

Acceleration Program Starts: October 9th, 2023

The first module begins with an introduction to the program, including a first meeting with your lead coaches who will work alongside you and track your progress through the program. After setting KPI’s for each of the four main areas of the program: company building, sales & marketing, fundraising, and pitching, this module will primarily focus on company building to ensure your startup has a strong foundation. 

For our hybrid program, this also includes an onsite portion, where startups travel to their host city to meet each other, the Startup Wise Guys team, and coaches to engage in team building, live workshops, and networking activities. The first module concludes with a one week Market Engineering Sprint led by Startup Wise Guys CEO, Cristobal Alonso. What a ride! 

Implementation week- this is time for you to pause, take a breath, and implement some of the knowledge you gained in module 1. You deserve it. 

Week 7-10 / Module 2

Communication, Sales, and Product Sprint

This module focus on communication and pitching.This includes storytelling, pitch deck prep, product demos, and preparation for Progress Day. Progress Day is an opportunity for startups to share their learnings with internal stakeholders and Startup Wise Guys team members to make sure everyone is aligned and progressing according to plan. Module 2 ends with a one week Product Sprint, where startups get to test and validate a customer centered idea. Like the Market Engineering Sprint, the Product Sprint is another highly rated part of the accelerator program. 

The program ends with another implementation week to breathe, reflect and, well, implement. 

Week 12-15 / Module 3

Sales, Marketing,Growth and Progress Day

In addition to interactive and informative workshops focused on sales, modules 3 and 4 focus more on one-on-one mentorship by selected experts to address your individual needs. Each module startups have an opportunity to check in with their lead mentors to ensure they are progressing as planned. 

At the end of the module is- you guessed it- implementation week! So much knowledge gained, and a week to yourself to implement it. 

Week 17-20 / Module 4

Fundraising, Investor Readiness and Graduation Day

This includes VC presentations, investor panels, investor negotiations, and more one-on-one support. The program concludes with Graduation Day where we reflect on all of the hard work startups have put in over the past 5 months and recognize how much they’ve grown. Congrats.

Aftercare

Don’t think that the after the program we stop working together. You can still benefit from the support of the Startup wise guys community channels and get fundraising support for your future investment rounds. 

It would be a great match if you are

This program is mainly for English-speaking East and West African early-stage digital B2B SaaS startups with initial traction, a solid team, and a focus on one of these areas:

  • You are an early-stage B2B SaaS startups working in:
    • FinTech
    • AgriTech
    • ClimaTech
  • You have a working MVP
  • Your startup has at least 2 co-founders or team members
  • You are building initial customer traction, MRR or revenues.

Mentors

Adia Sowho

CMO

MTN Nigeria, Tech Venture Builder and Operator

Chika Nwobi

CEO of Decagon and L5Lab

Norah Koigi

Deal Flow Facility

FSD Uganda

Seun Ojo

Product and technical leader

INSEAD MBA

Zion Thompson

Partner

Startup Launchcode

Team

Running an accelerator is a bit like running a sports camp! This is the kick-ass team that will keep you on track with KPIs, give constructive feedback, and make you enjoy a life-changing experience!

Based in
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Cristobal Alonso

CEO

Based in
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Franziska Kolk

General Partner Africa

Based in
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Petra Wolkenstein

General Partner Africa

Program partners & supporters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What are the requirements the startup must comply with to participate in the program?

    Our programs are meant for B2B startups. We do sometimes work with B2B2C companies, but we do not work with B2C startups.

    To be eligible for the full-time acceleration program you need to have:

    • at least a working MVP;
    • at least 2 co-founders/team members;
    • initial customer traction, MRR or revenues;
    • scaling potential across the African continent.
  • What does the selection process look like?
    • After the submission of the application to the Dealum, the Scouting team evaluates the application for eligibility. It can take up to 2 weeks for us to get back to you after we have received your application.
    • If the application fits our criteria we might ask you additional questions and invite you to take part in the Product day to present the business to SWG General partners and team members.
    • Product day is an internal event to evaluate the business idea and meet founders face to face, after the pitches SWG team decides how to proceed with the application. Decisions are: move forward with Due Diligence, offer Wise Guys Pre-accelerator program, reject or stay in touch until later.
    • Due diligence process includes: the Tech call, Managing Director call, Partner/ expert call, and the Deal call.
    • After the startup has successfully gone through the due diligence process they are invited to the interviews with General Partners.
    • TOP 10-12 teams are selected to participate in the acceleration program.
  • What are the investment conditions?

    Investment conditions include a 100K euro (70K cash + 30K program) investment for equity of the company. Further details are provided to the founders.

  • What can I expect from the program?

    Throughout the program, there are four main focus areas on which we are working to help you build and grow your startup: Company building, Sales and marketing, Fundraising and Pitching, and Product building.

    Work in these areas happens through intensive collaboration with almost 100 mentors at workshops, one-on-one sessions, and sprint weeks, as well as through a dedicated implementation time throughout the program.

  • What is the expected commitment? Will all the team members have to attend the program full-time?

    A full-time commitment is a requirement to participate in the program. The program is designed to be fully online – and we expect founders to attend in person at least 2/3 of the modules.

  • I have applied for the full-time acceleration program, but I got an invitation to join an online pre-acceleration program. What is the difference?

    We, as an accelerator, run different programs for startups in different stages, therefore we have also split the Wise Guys SaaS – Africa program into two stages to better support startups and their needs according to the stage they are at.

    Acceleration part I is an equity-free 8-week long Pre-acceleration program. This is an additional step in the scouting process.

    Acceleration part II is a 5-month program and comes with an investment. The main criteria to be eligible for the equity-based program are:
    – a working MVP
    – at least 2 co-founders
    – initial traction. MRR/ revenues.

    The Scouting team evaluates each application and decides what program the startup is eligible for. If we see the potential in the project, but it is still a little too early for acceleration part II – we invite the startup for the 8-week online acceleration part I program, where we provide mentoring and support to help startups grow faster.

  • Are there any geographical restrictions on who can apply?

    The program is focused on early-stage B2B startups from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana.

  • Can I apply even if the startup has not yet established itself as a company?

    Yes, you can. However, you will need to establish a company, if selected for the program.

  • In which language will the program be held?

    The program will only be held in English.

  • What can I expect from the after-care program?

    We provide continued on-demand help. Once you complete the program, you’ll join the most vibrant community of Startup Wise Guys Alumni network, where our teams and mentors will keep routing for your success after the program completion. In addition, our Venture Partners in East- and West Africa will continue supporting you in sales and business development activities.

Any additional questions? Feel free to get in touch with our team at hello@startupwiseguys.com.