Make-IT Accelerator
Through a 9-month program, founders received expert mentorship, business development support, and access to investors and corporate partners to help scale their innovations and drive impact across Africa.
In partnership with GIZ, the Make-IT Accelerator program was designed to support entrepreneurs building tech-driven businesses across Africa. The program was implemented in four countries—Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. Through a 9-month accelerator program, founders gained access to expert mentors, knowledge, B2B connections and financing partners, and strategic opportunities to support successful business growth.
The Make-IT Accelerator, was structured into three core phases:
- Inspire – Achieve the capacity for growth:
Cohort-based training and capacity development, including individualized needs assessments, scaling plans, and regular meetings with experienced mentors to support business development and growth. - Corporate partnership and investment opportunities:
Founders were equipped with the skills and confidence to negotiate successful partnerships and investment deals. The program also provided structured matchmaking opportunities with a network of investors and corporate partners. - Develop – From investment readiness to investment:
Support from finance and investment experts to prepare startups for investment, including deal negotiation training, investment readiness preparation, and pitch coaching for a final Demo Day.
Impact
- 190 applications received from aspiring tech entrepreneurs
- 30 entrepreneurs trained to build and scale their businesses
- $660,000 invested in accelerating the growth of tech startups
I AM Accelerator Program
Empowering young entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, and seed funding to build social impact businesses that expand access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
The Graça Machel Trust, UNFPA, and Nailab partnered to launch the I AM Accelerator, a program focused on catalyzing and accelerating innovative solutions that expand access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services.
The program was implemented across four countries—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda—supporting 28 entrepreneurs and facilitating $804,000 in funding to drive impactful solutions.
The top winners participated in a four-month acceleration program that paired them with expert mentors, enrolled them in business management and development training, and provided seed capital of KES 1,000,000 (USD 10,000) to refine their prototypes and strengthen their go-to-market strategies.
Impact
- 28 entrepreneurs accelerated
- $804,000 funding facilitated
The Next Economy Program
The entrepreneurship training allowed ambitious young founders to develop new business models or improve on existing ones. These young entrepreneurs would go on to create jobs for other young people that strengthen local communities and markets.
The Next Economy program focused on upscaling businesses and upskilling young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, between the ages of 18-30, in preparation for the job market or to build sustainable and thriving businesses. Through four successful cohorts, participants received training in core life skills, employability, and entrepreneurship, enabling them to create thriving career paths and businesses.
Impact
- 10,253 applications received
- 4,895 young people trained
- $1,435,680 invested
- 4 successful cohorts of young entrepreneurs trained