Openers Initative
THE SCIENCE ROAD
Building Strong Startups Across Critical Stages through an acceleration platform with three tested tracks for startups at different stages.
What Changed?
Over time, our portfolio became powerful but complex. In 2026, we simplified our offer into two clear startup journeys:
1
Open Startup Pre-Seed Track
For startups validating their solution.
2
Open Startup Seed Track
For startups preparing to scale.
One acceleration platform.
Two startup tracks
Clearer pathways
Better support
1
Open Startup Pre-Seed Track
For startups validating their solution.
One acceleration platform.
Two startup tracks
Clearer pathways
Better support
2
Open Startup Seed Track
For startups preparing to scale.
1
Open Startup Pre-Seed Track
For startups validating their solution.
One acceleration platform.
Two startup tracks
Clearer pathways
Better support
2
Open Startup Seed Track
For startups preparing to scale.
Who Can Apply?
DeepTech Ventures
Whose core innovation is rooted in significant scientific, engineering, or technological breakthroughs.
These companies typically develop proprietary technologies, products, or processes that require substantial research and development before commercialization.
Whose core innovation is rooted in significant scientific, engineering, or technological breakthroughs.
These companies typically develop proprietary technologies, products, or processes that require substantial research and development before commercialization.
Whose core innovation is rooted in significant scientific, engineering, or technological breakthroughs.
These companies typically develop proprietary technologies, products, or processes that require substantial research and development before commercialization.
Tech-Enabled Startups
Tech-enabled startups leverage technology to solve market challenges, improve efficiency, increase accessibility, or create new opportunities for businesses and communities.
(digital products, platforms, software, data, or technology-enabled services..)
Tech-enabled startups leverage technology to solve market challenges, improve efficiency, increase accessibility, or create new opportunities for businesses and communities.
(digital products, platforms, software, data, or technology-enabled services..)
Tech-enabled startups leverage technology to solve market challenges, improve efficiency, increase accessibility, or create new opportunities for businesses and communities.
(digital products, platforms, software, data, or technology-enabled services..)
Focus Areas
While applications are open to startups across sectors, Open Startup is particularly interested in ventures operating in:
While applications are open to startups across sectors, Open Startup is particularly interested in ventures operating in:
While applications are open to startups across sectors, Open Startup is particularly interested in ventures operating in:
🌱 Climate & Sustainability
AgriteTech
CleanTech
Renewable Energy
WaterTech
Circular Economy
Waste Management
and related sustainability-focused innovations.
🩺 Health & Well-being
HealthTech
MedTech
BioTech
Diagnostics
Telemedicine
and related health innovation solutions.
💡 Other High-Impact Sectors
FinTech
EdTech
Logistics & Supply Chain
and other high-impact technology-enabled ventures.
We welcome startups building impactful solutions that contribute to economic development, social progress, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life across Africa.
Startups / Tracks
Pre-seed Track
Seed Track
DeepTech Startups
Scientific or engineering innovation with a proof of concept or early prototype. (typically TRL 3-5).
Technical validation, research, lab testing, or pilot activities underway.
Early market validation through customer discovery, pilots, LOIs, or partnerships.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Early IP strategy, scientific validation, or research partnerships may be in progress.
Strong technical founding team and scalability potential.
Validated technology with demonstrated technical feasibility (typically TRL 6+).
Clear path to commercialization supported by pilots, customers, or industry partnerships.
Demonstrated traction through revenue, paid pilots, grants, contracts, strategic partnerships, or funding secured.
Proprietary technology, defensible know-how, or a clear IP strategy.
Strong technical/scientific team preparing for scale.
Tech-Enabled Startups
MVP or early product demonstrating a clear solution to a market need.
Early user validation, pilots, partnerships, or customer interest.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Clear business model and path to growth.
Strong founding team and scalability potential.
Product-market fit demonstrated through paying customers and recurring market demand.
Meaningful traction through revenue growth, customer acquisition, contracts, transactions, or active users.
Established go-to-market strategy and repeatable customer acquisition model.
Strong execution team with operational capacity to scale.
Ready for investment, strategic partnerships, and regional or international expansion.
Timeline
6-month Program
September 2026-Feb 2027
1-year Program
November 2026-November 2027
Startups / Tracks
Pre-seed Track
DeepTech Startups
Scientific or engineering innovation with a proof of concept or early prototype. (typically TRL 3-5).
Technical validation, research, lab testing, or pilot activities underway.
Early market validation through customer discovery, pilots, LOIs, or partnerships.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Early IP strategy, scientific validation, or research partnerships may be in progress.
Strong technical founding team and scalability potential.
Tech-Enabled Startups
MVP or early product demonstrating a clear solution to a market need.
Early user validation, pilots, partnerships, or customer interest.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Clear business model and path to growth.
Strong founding team and scalability potential.
Timeline
6-month Program
September 2026-Feb 2027
Startups / Tracks
Seed Track
DeepTech Startups
Validated technology with demonstrated technical feasibility (typically TRL 6+).
Clear path to commercialization supported by pilots, customers, or industry partnerships.
Demonstrated traction through revenue, paid pilots, grants, contracts, strategic partnerships, or funding secured.
Proprietary technology, defensible know-how, or a clear IP strategy.
Strong technical/scientific team preparing for scale.
Tech-Enabled Startups
Product-market fit demonstrated through paying customers and recurring market demand.
Meaningful traction through revenue growth, customer acquisition, contracts, transactions, or active users.
Established go-to-market strategy and repeatable customer acquisition model.
Strong execution team with operational capacity to scale.
Ready for investment, strategic partnerships, and regional or international expansion.
Timeline
1-year Program
November 2026-November 2027
Pre-seed Track
6-month Program
September 2026-Feb 2027
DeepTech Startups
Scientific or engineering innovation with a proof of concept or early prototype. (typically TRL 3-5).
Technical validation, research, lab testing, or pilot activities underway.
Early market validation through customer discovery, pilots, LOIs, or partnerships.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Early IP strategy, scientific validation, or research partnerships may be in progress.
Strong technical founding team and scalability potential.
Tech-Enabled Startups
MVP or early product demonstrating a clear solution to a market need.
Early user validation, pilots, partnerships, or customer interest.
Pre-revenue or early revenue stage.
Clear business model and path to growth.
Strong founding team and scalability potential.
Seed Track
1-year Program
November 2026-November 2027
Validated technology with demonstrated technical feasibility (typically TRL 6+).
Clear path to commercialization supported by pilots, customers, or industry partnerships.
Demonstrated traction through revenue, paid pilots, grants, contracts, strategic partnerships, or funding secured.
Proprietary technology, defensible know-how, or a clear IP strategy.
Strong technical/scientific team preparing for scale.
DeepTech Startups
Product-market fit demonstrated through paying customers and recurring market demand.
Meaningful traction through revenue growth, customer acquisition, contracts, transactions, or active users.
Established go-to-market strategy and repeatable customer acquisition model.
Strong execution team with operational capacity to scale.
Ready for investment, strategic partnerships, and regional or international expansion.
Tech-Enabled Startups
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to both tracks must:
Applicants to both tracks must:
Be incorporated in an African country
Operate primarily in Africa
Demonstrate proficiency in English
Have a committed founding team
Be available to participate actively in program activities
Submit a complete application
Tracks Perks
Regional Training bootcamps to strengthen growth and investment readiness
Tailored mentorship adapted to the startups stage and sector
International Exposure across African and international ecosystems
Investor and corporate matchmaking
Access to fellowships (Talent, Technical…)
Access to the community
Regional Training bootcamps to strengthen growth and investment readiness
Tailored mentorship adapted to the startups stage and sector
International Exposure across African and international ecosystems
Investor and corporate matchmaking
Access to fellowships (Talent, Technical…)
Access to the community
Regional Training bootcamps to strengthen growth and investment readiness
Tailored mentorship adapted to the startups stage and sector
International Exposure across African and international ecosystems
Investor and corporate matchmaking
Access to fellowships (Talent, Technical…)
Access to the community
Regional Training bootcamps to strengthen growth and investment readiness
Tailored mentorship adapted to the startups stage and sector
International Exposure across African and international ecosystems
Investor and corporate matchmaking
Access to fellowships (Talent, Technical…)
Access to the community
Regional Training bootcamps to strengthen growth and investment readiness
Tailored mentorship adapted to the startups stage and sector
International Exposure across African and international ecosystems
Investor and corporate matchmaking
Access to fellowships (Talent, Technical…)
Access to the community
Apply now!
Participation in Open Startup programs is supported by a 1% mission-aligned "give-back" mechanism. This is implemented via a SWEAT SAFE note issued to an investment vehicle dedicated to the long-term sustainability of OST and its programs that foster and support the development of the African entrepreneurship ecosystem.
This 1% contribution recognizes the substantial value provided through the program, including high-level mentorship, expert guidance, and market exposure, and ensures that future generations of founders can access similar resources. Any proceeds generated from future liquidity events are reinvested directly into advancing Open Startup’s mission and ecosystem-building efforts.
Participation in Open Startup programs is supported by a 1% mission-aligned "give-back" mechanism. This is implemented via a SWEAT SAFE note issued to an investment vehicle dedicated to the long-term sustainability of OST and its programs that foster and support the development of the African entrepreneurship ecosystem.
This 1% contribution recognizes the substantial value provided through the program, including high-level mentorship, expert guidance, and market exposure, and ensures that future generations of founders can access similar resources. Any proceeds generated from future liquidity events are reinvested directly into advancing Open Startup’s mission and ecosystem-building efforts.