What we offer.
Acceleration and Training
Nailab has over 10 years experience in developing customized training and acceleration programs with strong mentorship elements together with our partners both in Africa and around the world.
Community
Mwanzo is a virtual platform that equips entrepreneurs with the skills to build sustainable businesses that practically solve Africa’s unique challenges using innovation through business mentorship and community support.
Funding
We run challenges to facilitate access to seed funding to enable entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next level, grant funding to support already existing business and recognize outstanding entrepreneurs in the continent.
Programs
The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative
Partner Jack Ma foundation
ANPI is a $10M Grant that looks to support 100 entrepreneurs over 10 years from 2019 to 2029 with a total of $1M shared among 10 entrepreneurs every year through an annual finale pitch competition. Through the guidance of Nailab, the continent’s implementing partner, Jack Ma foundation successfully ran year one of ANPI
Outcome10,000 Applications Received From 50 Countries In Africa.
Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria), founder and CEO of LifeBank, was named in the first place, taking home US$250,000 in prize money. Second place went to Dr Omar Sakr (Egypt), founder and CEO of research platform Nawah-Scientific, who took home US$150,000, while third place went to Christelle Kwizera (Rwanda), founder of Water Access Rwanda, who secured US$100,000. The remaining finalists, each receiving US$65,000, were Mumm (Egypt), Thrive Agric (Nigeria), J-Palm (Liberia), UZURI K&Y (Rwanda), Black Swan (Nigeria), DrugStoc (Nigeria), and Afrikrea (Ivory Coast).
ANPI is the best competition for African entrepreneurs on the continent right now. First the winnings are huge: there is a substantial cash award and much more valuable connections, exposure and mentorship. Besides winning, the application is well designed to help you think seriously about your customers and your employees and the role they play for your business. It is a highly valuable experience I would recommend for anyone. “ Christelle Kwizera.
LEAP²
Close the Gap and Goodup
LLEAP² is a challenge that enables innovations to jump the digital divide and LEAP to the next level. Innovators who go through this program are challenged to boost their innovations to the next level by raising funds through crowdfunding, those able to hit their 50% mark receive a match fund of up to Ksh. 200,000.
Output
1: Women Innovation Challenge 5 Entrepreneurs Got The Matching
2: Light & Circular Economy Challenge 7 Entrepreneurs Got The Matching Fund
3: LEAP² Fintech Challenge 8 Entrepreneurs Got The Matching Fund
We have Run 3 successful leap challenges in Kenya, one in Nairobi and two in Mombasa.
Nairobi: LEAP² Fintech Challenge Kenya
During the LEAP² Fintech Challenge, fintech entrepreneurs in Nairobi were challenged to give their innovations a boost through crowdfunding. Out of the 10 innovations that registered their innovations online for crowdfunding, 8 were able to hit the 50% mark and to complement their efforts they received a matching fund from Close the Gap. The innovations that got the matching fund are:
Mombasa: Swahili Tech Women Innovation Challenge
This challenge was done in the coastal region, targeting women techpreneurs and male entrepreneurs with innovations that were geared towards women. Out of the 10 innovations that did their crowdfunding, 5 were able to hit the 50% mark and received a match fund from Close the Gap. The innovations that got the matching fund are:
