Applications are now open for funded Injini’s Incubation Programme 2020. Do you have a technology-driven or technology-enabled innovation that could improve educational outcomes in Africa? Are you looking to take your early-stage startup to the next level?

Injini is the first educational technology (EdTech) incubator or accelerator on the African continent. Based in South Africa, Injini invests in promising African EdTech startups and works closely with them to ultimately achieve their goal of positively impacting educational outcomes on the continent. Since its Inception in 2017, Injini’s Incubation Program has involved incubating and investing in the most promising early-stage startups from Africa and holding ecosystem development events across the continent to encourage broader innovation and evidence-driven EdTech solutions.

Further, if you are one of the selected Cohort 4 startups, you will participate in a five-month incubation programme that will take place both in Cape Town, South Africa and in your home market, where the team will support you remotely.

Phases of the Injini’s Incubation Programme

The Cohort 4 Incubation Programme will comprise of three phases.

• Phase 1 is set to begin in mid-March 2020 and will take place in Cape Town, South Africa. 1–2 decision-making members of your startup’s founding team will join us for an expenses-paid* stay in the Mother City for a period of six weeks. Participants must attend a number of business training workshops, engage with industry experts in 1:1 sessions. And, build a relationship with your mentor, who will support you through the duration of the programme.
• Phase 2 will begin the moment you leave Cape Town and head back to your home market. During this 12-week period, you’ll be expected to apply the learnings from Phase 1 to your business on-the-ground, while the Injini team supports you remotely — we may even pop in to visit some of you on your home turf!
• Phase 3 will commence back in Cape Town in July 2020, marking the final leg of the incubation programme. This four-week stretch will give us the chance to tie up loose ends and make sure your EdTech startup is ready for post-programme growth and possible investment.

Funded Injini’s Incubation Programme 2020

Injin’s Incubation Porgramme will provide the selected start-ups with a grant of R100,000 to fund the startup. Additionally, Injini may offer an investment of up to R1 million for equity in your business considering your progress and trajectory.

Further, Injini covers the cost of international and domestic return flights to Cape Town, accommodation for the duration of Phase 1 and 2 and extends basic living stipends to subsidize the higher cost of living in Cape Town compared to other African cities. These expenses cover only the founders who are not already based in Cape Town.

However, all entrepreneurs are must cover their own food and in-country transportation costs. Injini will occasionally sponsor group meals and social events.

Who are eligible for Funded Injini’s Incubation Programme 2020?

Injini is looking for EdTech startups that meet the following criteria to join us for our Cohort 4 program:

• Your EdTech startup is based in Africa and focused on improving educational outcomes somewhere on the continent.
• Your solution is aiming to address a key problem related to education in Africa.
• Similarly, your solution is evidence-based — meaning, you can point to research that backs up your methods or hypothesis.
• Also, your company is registered and a certificate of incorporation can be shared with the Injini team upon request.
• Your startup has (at least) a minimum viable product or prototype.
• Your startup has (at least) one full-time founder.
• Also, one or more decision-making members of your startup’s founding team are able to travel to Cape Town during Phases 1 and 3 of the incubation program.
• Participating founders from outside of South Africa must have a valid passport and eligibility to apply for a South African visa.
• Participating founders must be fluent in English.

Application Process

Eligible candidates must apply for the funded Injin’s Incubation programme by completing and submitting the online application form. Along with the application, the candidates must also describe the nature of their startup.

Deadline

The applicants must submit the application for the funded Injin’s Incubation program until 10 December 2019. Applications arriving after the deadline are not eligible for the incubation program.