StartupBootCamp (SBC) Africa FastTrack is coming back to Kampala according to the communication we have received. Organized by SBC Africa, FastTracks are informal events hosted all over the world.
SBC plans to build on last year's performance as it hosts its second SBC Africa FastTrack on March 21. The event was hosted at Outbox last year, though this time around it will be at UAP – Nakawa Business Park.
The statement says that this is "part of a global tour to source, grow and scale the next generation of Africa-focused innovators.”
SBC holds FastTracks to identify startups to take part in its accelerator program. Though they maintain that the events are not mandatory.
“FastTrack engagements are not a requirement to apply for the Startupbootcamp Africa Accelerator, and ALL startups are encouraged to apply,” says StartupBootCamp. Adding that, “however, attending a FastTrack will be to your advantage," SBC says.
For each FastTrack, the top 10 startups that apply receive instant feedback from a panel of industry mentors. They are also able to "network with the SBC investment team and can also find out more about the programme itself."
Last year, SBC held the first-ever SBC Africa Accelerator. And, in the statement, SBC says that it was a “rollercoaster success”.
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A “record 32 corporate agreements including pilots and proofs-of-concept, [were] signed during the accelerator.”
Dusupay, a Ugandan fintech company, is among the SBC alumni and raised €15,000 from the programme as a result.
“The inaugural Startupbootcamp Africa programme received applications from all over the world, and one of the Top 10 was a Ugandan startup named DusuPay,” reads the statement.
The program is currently seeking applications from companies in industries including blockchain, connected devices, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, integrated supply chain, e-commerce, alternative financing, identity management, digital connectivity, data and behavioural analytics and enabling technologies.
Founded in 2010, Startupbootcamp is a global startup accelerator with 18 programs in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Chengdu, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, New York, Rome, Singapore and Cape Town.
In 2017 the global network launched the first-ever Africa-based Startupbootcamp programme in Cape Town. The programme is sponsored by UAP Old Mutual Group and also supported by several service partners including Cloudworx, VC4A, Inner City Ideas Cartel, Brevity Law and The Loudhailer.