Deadline: 1 March 2024
UNDP is initiating a groundbreaking project named “Meet the Tôshikas,” supported by catalytic funding from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan (METI).
This project seeks to delve deeply into the African startup ecosystems, identifying and addressing fundamental elements hindering their growth and investment.
Japanese investors are always pivotal to this kind of endeavour. As a co-organizer of TICAD (The Tokyo International Conference of African Development), UNDP supports their increased contribution to Africa, including startups with great impact and growth potential. Their participation brings not only financial support for African startups but also valuable expertise and networks to take the startup ecosystems to the next level.
Through “Meet the Tôshikas,” UNDP aims to bring about transformation of how investors find, capacitate and invest in African startups. This year 2024, the project is implemented in Angola, South Africa, and Zambia.
Objectives
The objectives of this programme are to:
- Mobilize finance and promote financial services to tech-enabled startups that have the most potential and align with SDGs;
- Enhance the productive capacity and improve the competitiveness and investment readiness of young African entrepreneurs;
- Encourage more Japanese venture capital investment towards African startups.
Funding Information
- Offering a $20,000 grant from the UNDP Startup Challenge Fund upon completion of the programme.
Criteria
For this edition, the UNDP “Meet the Tôshikas” programme consists in:
- Selecting 6 African startups (2 from Angola, 2 from South Africa, and 2 from Zambia).
- Running these startups through a local Investment Readiness Support Program (IRSP) in their respective countries.
- Taking part in a 1-week roadshow to Tokyo to meet potential partners and investors.
- Having the startups pitch in front of 3 Japanese investors bullish on Africa to secure investment.
For more information, visit UNDP.
