NIGERIA— Flapmax, an artificial intelligence (AI) company based in Nigeria, has teamed up with global tech conglomerate, Microsoft Inc., to launch the 2nd edition of the Fast Accelerator Cohort Program, to assist leverage AI in sustainable development goals in healthcare, agriculture, supply chain and climate change.
The top ten FAST Accelerator 2023 startup participants will be selected for a five-week program in Silicon Valley, California, to forge relationships with industry experts, potential investors, and global partners through Flapmax’s vibrant ecosystem of over 600 corporate partners.
The Flapmax initiative created in partnership with Microsoft, FAST Accelerator aims also to connect African entrepreneurs and startups with business development.
The new FAST Accelerator 2023 will offer a transformative experience for startup founders seeking to scale rapidly and sustainably.
Moreover, the companies are linked to technology integration, funding, and community-building opportunities designed to enable rapid and sustainable growth.
Previously, the first edition saw more than 800 startups from 25+ countries apply to join the inaugural program.
The selected program graduates have raised millions in startup funding, created thousands of new jobs in their communities, and are using technology to meet global economic and sustainable development goals in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, supply chain, and climate justice.
Dr. Dave Ojika, CEO of Flapmax said, “FAST Accelerator represents our commitment to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs who are driving sustainable innovation across the continent of Africa and emerging markets.”
Additionally, Dr. Ojika added that through the comprehensive program, FAST was dedicated to connecting startup founders with a global community, industry-leading technology, and the essential startup funding necessary to forge the path toward local, sustainable, and AI-powered technological solutions of the future.
“Together, we unite in building a brighter future for Africa and the world, fuelled by the transformative power of technology and innovation,” reiterated Dr. Ojika.
Flapmax is a data and AI technology company partnering with leading technology providers around the globe to identify and accelerate to market sustainable technology solutions that improve communities worldwide.
Subsequently, with a focus on AI-powered startup solutions that are global and sustainable, Flapmax is improving collaboration across borders and connecting innovators and entrepreneurs with digital transformation solutions, AI models, and global partnerships.
FAST Accelerator application details
Startup leaders are encouraged to apply to FAST Accelerator this July.
To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa, prepared to scale, or expand throughout the continent, and have demonstrated established product-market fit and revenue generation.
The program is prioritizing business-to-business startups for this cohort, with the areas of healthcare, fintech, Edutech, and industrials/agtech of particular interest.
Sustainability and deep-tech startups are also encouraged to apply.
Program participants must be available and committed for the entire duration of the program, which includes a two-week virtual boot camp in August 2023, followed by a five-week accelerator program in October in California.
The intensive virtual boot camp is designed to validate startup ideas, refine business models, and prepare founders for the next stage of growth.
Next, the top startups are selected to join a five-week accelerator program on the ground in Silicon Valley to experience unparalleled acceleration, networking, and fundraising opportunities, while immersing themselves in the dynamic startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley.
FAST pioneering class testimonials
Lekan Omotosho, co-founder and CTO of Pade, a member of 2022 class said, “As an HR technology company dedicated to building world-class software solutions for businesses, we are delighted to have participated in the transformative FAST Accelerator program in 2022.”
Omotosho added that the technology and business masterclasses offered through Flapmax Learn were truly exceptional, and the invaluable network of mentors and advisors has played a significant role in our growth.
“With the successful raise of $500,000, we are poised to scale our cutting-edge HCM solutions across the continent, catering to both SMEs and large corporations,” Omotosho also acknowledged.
In the health tech space, Edwin Lubanga, CTO and co-founder of Snark Health said that the startup was able to pioneer a novel approach to healthcare payment solutions, and our collaboration with FAST Accelerator was instrumental in driving their growth.
Lubanga also said, “Through FAST’s support, we have gained access to critical infrastructure, enabling us to deploy our services at scale. Working in conjunction with Microsoft and Azure services and partnering with hospitals in Kenya.”
Lubanga confirmed that Snark was determined to deliver equitable and affordable healthcare to tens of thousands of SMEs and health centers across Africa, creating a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape.
Innocent Orikiiriza, founder and CEO of KaCyber Technologies also accredited the power of Fast in their startup journey, “Our collaboration with FAST Accelerator has opened doors to an extraordinary opportunity, one that I fully endorse.”
Orikiiriza also noted that with the guidance of FAST Accelerator, KaCyber developed a comprehensive sustainability framework that now underpins their business operations, emphasizing the vital importance of sustainability in the public transport sector.
Additionally, KaCyber has achieved a major milestone of processing 11 million travel tickets to date, amounting to a transaction value of US$54 million immensely bolstering their revenue pipeline.
“With major corporate partnerships underway, we eagerly anticipate unlocking even greater possibilities with FAST as we work towards realizing a seamless and sustainable mobility experience throughout Africa,” Orikiiriza envisaged.
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