Unleashing African Innovation: Venture-Backed Initiative to Transform Research into Startups
GABORONE, Botswana – In a landmark moment for African innovation, the transformative Deep Tech for Africa programme was officially launched today, November at the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub (BDIH). This powerful alliance between the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, the Government of Botswana, and Boston-based venture capital firm Material Impact is poised to unlock a wave of homegrown, world-changing enterprises.
The initiative marks a decisive leap forward in bridging the critical gap between Africa’s brilliant scientific research and its commercial potential. By uniting twenty of the continent’s top scientific minds from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Egypt, and South Africa, the programme is building a vibrant community of innovators ready to tackle global challenges.
“This programme is a strategic investment in our continent’s greatest asset: the genius and determination of its people,” said the Honourable Tiroeaone Ntsima, Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, in an inspiring keynote address. He extended a warm invitation to all participants, highlighting Botswana’s stability and pro-innovation environment as the perfect launchpad for their ventures. “We are not just building businesses; we are building a knowledge-driven future for Africa, and it starts here.”
The programme offers an intensive, immersive experience. For one week at the state-of-the-art BDIH, and through ongoing virtual support, these pioneers will master the art of transforming advanced research into scalable businesses. The curriculum is meticulously designed to equip them with everything needed to succeed—from crafting compelling investor narratives to building robust operating plans for vital sectors like health, renewable energy, and agriculture.
The journey doesn’t end in the classroom. Participants will gain direct access to capital through a virtual Investors Showcase and connect with the local ecosystem via site visits, fostering collaborations that will amplify their impact
Building on a strong foundation of previous partnerships, the Deep Tech for Africa programme represents a sustained and deepening commitment to continental prosperity. With the hands-on, real-world expertise of Material Impact—a firm managing over USD 750 million—these scientific entrepreneurs are not just dreaming of a brighter future; they are being armed with the practical tools to build it.
This is more than a programme; it is a beacon of hope and a powerful engine for progress, dedicated to empowering a new generation to turn their boldest scientific visions into tangible solutions for Africa and the world.
