The Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) in partnership with MTN GROUP is designed to provide a supportive ecosystem to help startups build viable and scalable innovation-driven companies.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Digital startup with a focus on either Fintech, HealthTech, EdTech, AgTech, E-Commerce, Energy, IoT, Sport, News, Religion
- A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that has demonstrated demand and ready to further establish product/market fit
- The team must contain at least two members, and has the right balance of skills/ability to build, test and deliver
- The founder must be the lead participant and the whole team attend on a full-time basis (present at the Solution Space 30+hrs/week during the 12-week program from 3 September – 30 November 2018)
- Entrepreneurs are hungry, committed, disciplined, doers, and coachable
- A desire to help other teams and contribute to the community as a whole
APPLICATIONS OPEN 18 May – 31 July 2018
START DATE 3 September 2018
END DATE 30 November 2018
LOCATION Solution Space Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa
OPPORTUNITY ALERT: Phase two applications for our Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) Winter School are now open. Apply before 31 July 2018 to take your startup to the next level! https://t.co/bH6t5uDof0 #DigitalIdeas @MTNGroup @UCTGSB @sarahannealman @GcobisaMaq @Tseps_bro pic.twitter.com/e28Dv1Kn43
— UCT GSB Solution Space (@uctgsbsolutions) July 10, 2018
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Applicants submit online application by 31 July 2018.
- The Selection Committee reviews the applications and the top 20-30 startups are selected to participate in a five-day design sprint to assess the fundamentals of the business and the team. NB! Applicants should be able to attend this Bootcamp in Cape Town, South Africa between 30 July – 03 August 2018. Applicants are expected to cover their own costs associated with travel, accommodation.
- The top 10-15 startups from the Bootcamp are selected to participate in the three-month Venture Incubation Programme in Cape Town, South Africa between 3 September – 30 November 2018.
BENEFITS
- Selected startups will gain access to MTN APIs, MTN Service Delivery Platform, MTN technical experts and mentors to provide feedback and guidance and a package of support from technology partners.
- We apply a learning-by-doing approach. At workshops and clinics, startups learn founder fundamentals and core skills focused on moving the business forward. Startups apply what they learn through practical outcomes from each session.
- Access to pro-bono partners and a network of consultants to support with specialist expertise e.g. legal, HR, digital user experience, venture capital.
- Startups receive valuable feedback and guidance from our Entrepreneur-in-Residence and network of experienced mentors and industry partners. Each startup is paired with a mentor for the programme and have access to the Solution Space’s network of GSB alumni and corporate partners.
- We focus on building a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and offer a calendar of regular events designed to increase a startup’s knowledge and expand their network. We prioritize peer learning and mentoring through access to our co-working space and regular office hours.
