MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) 2018 for Digital Entrepreneurs
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MTN Solution Space Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) 2018 for Digital Entrepreneurs.
The MTN Solution Space Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) for founders building viable and scalable digital startups. Access R300,000 worth of support for your digital startup, and score a potential deal with MTN Group.
MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) 2018 for Digital Entrepreneurs.
MTN Group is looking for startups that are either building a
sustainable Africa through digital solutions for health, education,
agriculture, fintech, energy and IoT, or enabling businesses through
digital solutions for religion, sport, news and e-commerce.
The
Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) is designed to provide a supportive
ecosystem to help startups build viable and scalable innovation-driven
companies. Startups have access to a range of resources including
co-working space, practical learning clinics, mentors, weekly check-ins
and staff advisors, and a community of peers who learn and grow
together.
The VIP offers startups several key advantages. We’re
located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, where startups are on
the doorstep of Africa’s fastest growing tech hub. We offer
proof-of-concept (POC) collaboration opportunities with our industry
partner MTN Group and a pool of early-stage investors.
MTN Venture Incubation Programme Focus Areas.
Health,
education, agriculture, fintech, energy and IoT, or enabling businesses
through digital solutions for religion, sport, news and e-commerce.
Who Should Apply for MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP).
DIGITAL STARTUPS
For
our current program at the Solution Space Waterfront we are looking for
startups that are developing digital solutions across health,
education, agriculture, fintech, energy IoT, religion, sport, news and
e-commerce.
TEAM OF 2+
We’re not looking
for single founders, but teams of at least two with the right balance of
skills and ability to build, test and deliver. The founder or majority
shareholder must be the lead participant and must have the ability to
commit full-time to the programme over the three months.
PROTOTYPE / MVP
Most
of our startups enter with some sort of business case, early version of
a product and a couple of team members. They have a working prototype
with a minimum feature set ready to conduct early-market testing to
further establish product and market fit.
OPPORTUNITY & TRACTION
The
initial concept development demonstrates deep and intimate
understanding of the problem and market need or opportunity. The idea
must have progressed beyond concept and should demonstrate evidence of
early market testing, customers, revenues, patents or intellectual
property filings.
Benefits of MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP).
MTN INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP
Selected
startups will gain access to MTN APIs, MTN Service Delivery Platform,
MTN technical experts and mentors to provide feedback and guidance and a
package of support from technology partners.
FEEDBACK & GUIDANCE
Startups
receive valuable feedback and guidance from our
Entrepreneur-in-Residence and network of experienced mentors and
industry partners. Each startup is paired with a mentor for the
programme and have access to the Solution Space’s network of GSB alumni
and corporate partners.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS
We
apply a learning-by-doing approach. At workshops and clinics, startups
learn founder fundamentals and core skills focused on moving the
business forward. Startups apply what they learn through practical
outcomes from each session.
CO-WORKING & COMMUNITY
We
focus on building a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and offer a
calendar of regular events designed to increase a startup’s knowledge
and expand their network. We prioritize peer learning and mentoring
through access to our co-working space and regular office-hours.
ADVISORY SERVICES
Access
to pro-bono partners and a network of consultants to support with
specialist expertise e.g. legal, HR, digital user experience, venture
capital.
How MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) Works
1) ONLINE APPLICATION
Startups
submit applications online in January/February and June/July each year,
before the initial start date of each Venture Incubation Programme.
2) PRE-SELECTION DESIGN SPRINT
The
Solution Space team reviews the applications and the top 30 startups
are selected to participate in a five-day design sprint to assess the
fundamentals of the business and the team.
3) PITCH TO A SELECTION PANEL
At
the end of the five-day design sprint, successful startups pitch to a
final selection panel of corporate partners, early-stage investors,
mentors and entrepreneurs.
4) FINAL SELECTION
The
top 10-15 startups are selected to participate in the three-month
Venture Incubation Programme and accelerate the development of their
digital solution. Startups receive mentorship and training in addition
to all the services offered by the Solution Space.
How to Apply for MTN Venture Incubation Programme (VIP).
Follow the link below to apply online:
Deadline: 1 JULY 2018.
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