Europe’s Startup Wise Guys Expands to Africa, Starts First Program in Namibia
Europe’s B2B startup accelerator Startup Wise Guys have announced it is expanding its programs to Africa. The accelerator has plans for several programs in Africa and already has a program underway in Namibia. The accelerator firm plans an additional four programs for the continent by 2022, focusing on East and West Africa.
Startup Wise Guys’ accelerator program in Namibia is been organized in partnership with StartUp Namibia and Key2Investors. The three-month-long program that concludes in June is Namibia’s first experience with an international startup accelerator. The current accelerator program is currently supporting 24 selected local startup founders, with an emphasis on raising investment and the fundamentals of leading a venture-backed business.
Cristobal Alonso, Startup Wise Guys’ Global CEO speaking on the program said that the focus will be on the best practices while pitching. The program will also see that the program will assemble a team that has led several portfolio startups to success.
“The pandemic forced us to go digital with our programs and we saw an incredible number of African startups interested in joining our programs remotely. Africa had been on our radar for some time, but distance and logistics made it difficult. Alongside our partners, we are now able to offer on-the-ground startup acceleration, supported and led through digital platforms. Our focus is on African countries where our capacity-building expertise for early-stage startups will make the biggest impact,” said Cristobal.
With Startup Wise Guys’ long history of transforming technically savvy founders into successful startup entrepreneurs, Petra Wolkenstein, founder of Key2Investors has opined that the firm is happy to partner with the international accelerator firm to impact startups in Africa.
“We’re proud to be kicking off our partnership with Startup Wise Guys in Africa with a program that will enrich the Namibian startup ecosystem. We hope to make a significant impact for all the founders involved and for this to become a blueprint of a model for future programs in Namibia, Africa, and beyond,” said Petra.