Openers Initiative
THE SCIENCE ROAD
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Open Startup is opening its 2026 call for applications, looking for ambitious founders and champions in Tech and Deep Tech for its two program tracks:
1
1
1
Open Startup Pre-Seed Track
For startups validating their solution.
Pre-Seed Track
For startups validating their solution.
2
2
2
Open Startup Seed Track
For startups preparing to scale.
Seed Track
For startups preparing to scale.
We are looking for startups building either:
DeepTech Ventures
Startups whose core innovation is rooted in significant scientific, engineering, or technological breakthroughs.
Tech-Enabled Startups
Startups that leverage technology to solve market challenges, improve efficiency, increase accessibility, or create new opportunities for businesses and communities.
Apply before January 31st to one of the available tracks.
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-February 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-February 2027
Apply
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.
Apply
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
FOCUS AREAS
FOCUS AREAS
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.
AI & Emerging Technologies
Artificial intelligence
Robotics
SaaS
and other AI-enabled ventures.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to both tracks must:
Applicants to both tracks must:
Building a technology to solve a demonstrated problem on the continent
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
JOIN US TO BENEFIT FROM
Both tracks offer access to tailored training, hands-on mentorship, expert guidance, strategic connections, ecosystem exposure, and growth opportunities to help startups move to the next stage.
In-Person Training Bootcamp
Intensive, immersive training bootcamps tailored to startups needs.
Global Exposure
Regional and global exposure to different ecosystems based on startup needs (Africa, US, Europe..)
Training & Mentorship
Tailored training & personalized mentorship based on startups needs delivered by a pool of regional and global experts.
Hands-on Support
Continuous, strategic program support including introductions, weekly follow-ups, and technical & talent fellowships.
Market & Investment Support
Tailored support, investor engagement, corporate connections, commercialization guidance, and fundraising preparation.
Small Tickets
Selected startups may become eligible for mission-aligned investment tickets of up to $20,000 to support their seed fundraising rounds.
In-Person Training Bootcamp
Intensive, immersive training bootcamps tailored to startups needs.
Global Exposure
Regional and global exposure to different ecosystems based on startup needs (Africa, US, Europe..)
Training & Mentorship
Tailored training & personalized mentorship based on startups needs delivered by a pool of regional and global experts.
Hands-on Support
Continuous, strategic program support including introductions, weekly follow-ups, and technical & talent fellowships.
Market & Investment Support
Tailored support, investor engagement, corporate connections, commercialization guidance, and fundraising preparation.
Small Tickets
Selected startups may become eligible for mission-aligned investment tickets of up to $20,000 to support their seed fundraising rounds.
In-Person Training Bootcamp
Intensive, immersive training bootcamps tailored to startups needs.
Global Exposure
Regional and global exposure to different ecosystems based on startup needs (Africa, US, Europe..)
Training & Mentorship
Tailored training & personalized mentorship based on startups needs delivered by a pool of regional and global experts.
Hands-on Support
Continuous, strategic program support including introductions, weekly follow-ups, and technical & talent fellowships.
Market & Investment Support
Tailored support, investor engagement, corporate connections, commercialization guidance, and fundraising preparation.
Small Tickets
Selected startups may become eligible for mission-aligned investment tickets of up to $20,000 to support their seed fundraising rounds.
In-Person Training Bootcamp
Intensive, immersive training bootcamps tailored to startups needs.
Global Exposure
Regional and global exposure to different ecosystems based on startup needs (Africa, US, Europe..)
Training & Mentorship
Tailored training & personalized mentorship based on startups needs delivered by a pool of regional and global experts.
Hands-on Support
Continuous, strategic program support including introductions, weekly follow-ups, and technical & talent fellowships.
Market & Investment Support
Tailored support, investor engagement, corporate connections, commercialization guidance, and fundraising preparation.
Small Tickets
Selected startups may become eligible for mission-aligned investment tickets of up to $20,000 to support their seed fundraising rounds.
In-Person Training Bootcamp
Intensive, immersive training bootcamps tailored to startups needs.
Global Exposure
Regional and global exposure to different ecosystems based on startup needs (Africa, US, Europe..)
Training & Mentorship
Tailored training & personalized mentorship based on startups needs delivered by a pool of regional and global experts.
Hands-on Support
Continuous, strategic program support including introductions, weekly follow-ups, and technical & talent fellowships.
Market & Investment Support
Tailored support, investor engagement, corporate connections, commercialization guidance, and fundraising preparation.
Small Tickets
Selected startups may become eligible for mission-aligned investment tickets of up to $20,000 to support their seed fundraising rounds.
APPLY NOW!
APPLY NOW!
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 Open Startup 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.
*The 1% give-back mechanism applies only to startups selected to participate in the second phase of the Seed Program. As a condition of joining the second phase, selected startups will be required to enter into the applicable SWEAT SAFE agreement before accessing the second-phase benefits and activities.
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 Open Startup 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.
*The 1% give-back mechanism applies only to startups selected to participate in the second phase of the Seed Program. As a condition of joining the second phase, selected startups will be required to enter into the applicable SWEAT SAFE agreement before accessing the second-phase benefits and activities.
Deadline: July 31st