Facebook says it is collaborating with Co-Creation Hub
(CCHub) to mentor and empower 12 startups in the ”Season 2 FbStart Accelerator
Programme.”
Kendra Nnachi, Facebook Startups and Developers Programme
Manager said on Thursday in Lagos that the programme had been extended to
startups in Ghana.
Nnachi said that the second edition of the programme was a
renewal of Facebook’s commitment to supporting
and empowering local innovators
and upcoming entrepreneurs in realising their business goals.
The FbStart Accelerator is research and mentorship-driven
six-months programme for innovative and visionary teams, daring to create
solutions with advanced technologies.
She said that the accelerator programme provided the
startups with the support they needed to build and optimise value driven
products and match them with resources from Facebook and CcHUB.
According to her, Facebook and CcHUB have started accepting
applications for Season 2 of the FbStart Accelerator and have opened the
programme to Ghanian innovators as well.
”We are delighted to be bringing back the FbStart
Accelerator programme to Nigeria for the second year, and now expanding this to
applicants from Ghana.
”Given our passion for connecting people and helping
developers and entrepreneurs to thrive, we can’t wait to see how this year’s
cohort develop and build solutions and technology to engage and empower people
across Nigeria, Ghana and potentially the continent.
”If you are building a solution that leverages advanced
technologies – Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Data
Science and Extended Reality – in Nigeria and Ghana, the accelerator is
designed to help you grow,” she said.
Nnachi said that season one of the programme saw 15
startup and student teams graduate on April 12, 2019.
She said that as at April 2019, the graduating teams had
cumulatively raised over $400,000 in investments and grants.
”FbStart Accelerator Season 2 will be made up of 12 startup
teams receiving up to $20,000 in equity.
”They will receive funding, one-on-one mentorship from
Facebook and CcHUB, access to corporates, industry experts, $16,000 in product
credits and more.
”Interested teams can apply via
www.cchubnigeria.com/fbstart, with applications, open until June 30, 2019,”
Nnachi said.
The Chief Executive Officer, CcHUB Bosun Tijani, said that
the hub was delighted to be renewing its support to innovators who were
building the future of Africa.
”By renewing our partnership with Facebook, we will continue
to deepen adoption of advanced technologies across Africa and inspire the next
generation of innovators to compete globally,” Tijani said.
One of the participants in the 2018 cohort, Moses Olafenwa,
the CEO of DeepQuestAI, said that the FbStart Accelerator programme had
incredibly transformed its team from aspiring innovators to world-class
solution creators.
”Our team has the best possible support from some of the
most diligent tech facilitators, in addition to the immense financial and
infrastructural support we got,” Olafenwa said.
Like in 2018, Facebook, CcHUB and partner hubs would also
hold roadshow events in 10 states across the country.
The aim was to enlighten students and entrepreneurs about
deep-tech, while encouraging them to build solutions with advanced technologies
and promote the programme.
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