When East Africa’s brightest builders, disruptors, and dreamers come together, great things happen. The Next Generation Africa 2025–2026 initiative is now accepting applications, calling forward-thinking founders from across the continent to join a world-class innovation journey powered by Startup Africa Roadtrip, BeEntrepreneurs, and Norrsken House Kigali.
What’s This All About?
This is no ordinary accelerator. It's a fully funded, free-to-join program designed to support high-impact startups, makers, and young talents with practical mentorship, training, and African-Italian cross-continental pipelines, culminating in a fully funded trip to Italy for the top performers.
Selected teams from East Africa will gather for an immersive one-week bootcamp at Norrsken House Kigali, building products, refining pitches, and connecting with local ecosystems. The top tier—judged by university leaders, investors, and innovation partners, will go on to experience Italy’s innovation hubs, network with European corporations, and pitch on an international stage.
Why It Matters
Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is unmatched, but global exposure, mentorship, and investor access remain critical accelerants. This initiative bridges that gap by:
- Accelerating your startup with hands-on support
- Building global bridges between ecosystems in Kigali and Italy
- Elevating African impact by placing early-stage ventures in the view of international partners
Who Should Apply?
- Startup founders, deep-tech innovators, young makers, or early-stage changemakers
- Projects with a clear positive impact on social or environmental issues
- Teams ready to grow through structured mentorship + exposure to global networks
No pitch deck is perfect, just as long as you have a real problem you’re solving. As one mentor put it, “Don't wait for perfect. If you're tackling a challenge that matters, this is your moment.”
Key Dates to Remember
- Call for applications open now
- Bootcamp in Kigali: 11-15 August 2025
- Italian Road Trip: Early 2026
For more information, click the following link HERE
You can also find out similar opportunities HERE
