Zambian tech hub BongoHive has kicked off the second cohort of its Launch accelerator programme, which aims to assist startups in growing and scaling their businesses.
BongoHive said Launch was a four-month accelerator programme that strategically focuses on startups that have already launched but are looking to gain further traction and scale.
Disrupt Africa reported in January on the first edition of the Launch programme, which accelerated 10 Zambian startups. The second batch of 11 startups have now been accepted, with the names to be revealed after a demo day at the end of the programme.
“We are excited to have a total of 11 startups that will go through the accelerator programme. During the programme, we want the Launch startups to gain market traction and accelerate. We want to see Launch startups succeed, either by creating employment, making money or have access to investment,” said Lukonga Lindunda, co-founder and executive director of BongoHive.
“Every three weeks the Launch startups will have case study sessions where founders will be able to provide peer support and skill transfer,” said BongoHive incubation lead Simunza Muyangana.
“The founders can trust that mentors have experience, but the decisions they make about their business is ultimately theirs. Startups will be able to schedule weekly one-on-one sessions with the incubation lead, accountant and legal counsel.”
Of the 11 startups in the programme, two are in the transport and logistics space, three in e-commerce, two in agriculture, two in entertainment, one in property management and one in health and sanitation.
BongoHive also recently launched its Discover programme, an intense three-week full-time bootcamp providing entrepreneurs with the basic skills they need to turn a business idea into a fully-fledged startup.
Disrupt Africa reported in February BongoHive had signed a sponsorship arrangement with local operator MTN, which will see the partners build an enabling environment for developers in Zambia.
