Qualcomm is inviting early-stage startups across Africa to apply for its “Make in Africa” mentorship program. This initiative is designed to support the continent’s growing hardware and deep-tech ecosystem. It focuses on startups that are building innovative products using advanced connectivity and processing technologies.
Program Benefits
- Equity-Free Support: Unlike many accelerators, Qualcomm does not take any equity in your company.
- Financial Grant: Selected startups receive a stipend of $5,000 to support their operations or prototyping costs.
- Mentorship: Participants gain access to Qualcomm engineers and business leaders for technical and strategic guidance.
- IP Protection: The program emphasizes the importance of intellectual property, helping startups patent and protect their innovations.
- Global Exposure: Startups are showcased to a global audience of investors and industry partners.
Eligibility Criteria
- Stage: Must be an early-stage startup (typically Pre-Seed or Seed).
- Location: The startup must be based in and legally registered in an African country.
- Technology: The product should ideally leverage hardware, AI, 5G, or IoT technologies. Pure software plays (like simple e-commerce apps) are usually less competitive for this specific hardware-focused program.
- Team: A dedicated full-time team is preferred.
Application Process
- Deadline: February 15, 2026.
- Submission: Applications are submitted via the Qualcomm Make in Africa portal.
- Requirements: A pitch deck, a technical description of the product, and details about the founding team.
