If you are an innovator or a tech startup or SME with an innovative solution, take your chance to support your business idea through the Keystone Startup Advantage!

The Keystone Startup Advantage Program is a specialized incubator program with offerings to address the needs of Startup businesses. It is a Social Enterprise Initiative which aligns with the United Nations Envision #2030 Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 8:

“To promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all”.

Through the Keystone Startup Advantage Program, Keystone as a bank aims to impact 100 Startups annually and up to 1,000 Startups in the next 5 years.

Benefits

• 3 months Investor Readiness Program adopting a blended approach with a hybrid option; virtually and physically. It will be an intensive program with a group as well as one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions.
• 3 successful SMEs/Startups from the program can each win an N3m grant to support their business.
• Also, a platform to connect innovative SMEs and Tech Startups with potential investors.
• Connection with Tech thought leaders as well as an opportunity to hear their success stories first hand.
• In addition, get the knowledge and skills needed to fast track their business to the next growth phase.
• Participation in a Demo Day where these entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their ideas to selected investors.
• Moreover, become a part of a Startup community/ecosystem and access the opportunities and network it offers.

Eligibility

• businesses that have gone past the ideation phase and are also already at validation or have scaled past the validation phase.
• The focus will be on Startups and SMEs in the Creative, Fintech, Agro, Education, Health, and other potential growth sectors with technology-driven and innovative solutions/ideas that will attract the keen interest of investors (both locally and internationally).

Application Process

The program will be premiered in January 2022 with an Open Day webinar tagged – BUILDING SUSTAINABLE STARTUPS. Attendees at the webinar will learn tips that will guide them in making successful applications entries.

Applications will open on January 31st, 2022 for interested and eligible Tech Startups & SMEs with innovative ideas, solutions, and business methods to apply.