The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund is now open for applications from mobile technology startups from select countries in Africa and Asia- including Kenya.
This program is funded by UK Department for International Development (DFID) and supported by GSMA. GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator wants to link mobi innovators like yourself (or these young Kenyan girls) to operators, for growth of commercially sustainable mobile products and services.
If you are among the successful applicants, not only will you have an opportunity to partner with operators but you will also gain from mentorship and technical assistance. There’s also the small matter of funding. The successful startups will receive between £100,000 and £250,000 (yes, that’s upwards of sh.13 million).
READ: MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR KENYAN ENTREPRENEURS
Eligibility
- Applicants must use mobile technology and be aligned with one of the focus areas; Sharing Economy or Mobile Services for SMEs
- Funding must be used for a specific project, of 12 to 18 months, where socio-economic impact is expected to be realized- like job creation
- Applicants must provide a matching of atleast 50% of the amount of funding requested
- Applicants must have already demonstrated success by launching a product or service and reaching active user in atleast one market
Application will involve a 2-stage process that starts with a short online questionnaire to be filled by 18th September, 2016. Go to the official website to apply and learn more about GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund.