Applications are now open for the 6th AlphaExpo Micro-Accelerator Cohort, a program offered by the Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS). As the largest bi-annual fintech event in Africa, AFTS aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The AlphaExpo program provides African startups with a unique opportunity to attend and exhibit at the upcoming AFTS event in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 2-3, 2023.

With the AlphaExpo Micro-Accelerator, up to 15 African startups will be selected as VIP delegates for this year’s AFTS. The chosen participants will have the chance to showcase their products and services, network with industry leaders, and engage in various activities designed to accelerate their growth. The program culminates in the AlphaExpo Pitch Competition on Friday, November 3rd, which will mark the conclusion of the AFTS event.

For early-stage entrepreneurs, industry events like AFTS offer invaluable opportunities to raise funds, form partnerships, and drive business development. However, many startups face financial constraints that prevent them from fully participating in such events. The Micro-Accelerator addresses this challenge by providing exceptional early-stage innovators with a platform to showcase their solutions to a global audience.

Since its inception in 2018, the AlphaExpo has featured 53 pre-Series A startups, including well-known names like PiggyVest, Yellow Card, MarketForce, PNGME, CrowdForce, and PayHippo. These companies, along with other AlphaExpo alumni, have collectively raised nearly $200 million USD in venture funding. The success of previous cohorts underscores the significance of the program in helping African startups secure crucial investments and expand their operations.

While the Africa Fintech Summit primarily focuses on financial technologies and their diverse applications, the AlphaExpo program is open to startups from any sector. Previous cohort members have worked in fields such as HealthTech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality (VR/AR), and Education technology. This sector-agnostic approach broadens the program’s reach and attracts a diverse range of innovative startups.

Andrew Barden, the Content Director of AFTS, emphasized the benefits of participating in the initiative. He stated, “The AlphaExpo initiative is essentially designed to help founders get where they are going faster. Strengthening brand recognition, establishing thought leadership, and generating leads from a business development perspective all play a fundamental role in a startup’s growth story. Cohort participants can expedite many months’ worth of networking and emails with potential investors, partners, etc., simply by taking part in AFTS through the AlphaExpo.”

Early-stage startups operating in Africa and seeking to make their mark in the industry are encouraged to apply for the AlphaExpo Micro-Accelerator Cohort before the application deadline on August 31, 2023. The application process can be completed through the official 2023 AlphaExpo Application portal.