Facebook and Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) will mentor and empower 12 startups in the ”Season 2 FbStart Accelerator Programme.”
Kendra Nnachi, Facebook Startups and Developers Programme Manager, says 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 a 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.
“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 the 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.
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.