Ethiopia's innovation and entrepreneurial scene is rapidly expanding. Initiatives to boost Ethiopia's startup ecosystem have been underway, with government partners and the public and private sectors collaborating to develop a number of support programs. These projects help young innovators and startups gain access to the training, tools, and capital that they often lack, yet require in order to grow.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Ethiopia, along with a short overview to help you find a suitable program. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN ETHIOPIA
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Ethiopia
Full list of ideation-stage startup incubators in Ethiopia:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Energy, Female Founder
EWiEn Incubator, standing for Ethiopian Women in Energy is Ethiopia's energy incubator program directed at women youth. The program is intended to empower women to create startups for areas that might support and alter renewable energy accessibility in Ethiopia, particularly in solar energy. The program will provide women innovators with mentorship, technical, business, and skill development training, prototype development, and networking in order to realize their ideas in a business.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Seratera is a private-public partnership comprised of seven universities, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations that support business incubator activities in universities. The initiative's goal is to encourage young entrepreneurs to utilize science and drive innovation and entrepreneurship for a better and more sustainable future. The incubation programs target various sectors which would include founders in courses, workshops, and symposiums as well as assist in prototype production.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Iceaddis (Ice stands for Innovation, Collaboration, and Entrepreneurship) was formed in 2011 as Ethiopia's first innovation hub and digital startup incubator. Iceaddis is a co-creation environment that supports technology advancements and accelerates high-potential enterprises. Through coaching, mentorship, and an investment preparation program, they help founders to launch their businesses and reach product-market fit.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Ethiopia
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Ethiopia:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry
blueMoon Ethiopia is an initiative that seeks to identify, nurture, and invest seed funding in creative and scalable young agricultural enterprises. Each year, they hold a nationwide competition to invite up to ten entrepreneurs into their four-month on-site program in Addis Ababa. Throughout the program, startups with receive coaching and 1:1 mentoring that will help them transition their ideas to a solid value proposition, business plan, operational strategy, and investment pitch. They will also have access to skill training, business service providers, a network of top Ethiopian agricultural leaders, coworking space, and investment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Impact
The African Impact Initiative is a non-profit organization devoted to creating a positive impact on the African continent via early innovators. Their flagship program, the African Impact Challenge, engages aspiring African entrepreneurs who are passionate about creating local solutions to their most pressing community challenges. Each year, the program is held in different African countries and will provide African founders with the funding, resources, and coaching they need to start their businesses from scratch and produce market-ready products.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
VC4A, standing for Venture Capital for Africa, is a fast-growing startup platform with an online community of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners dedicated to building impactful and game-changing enterprises on the continent. Through the platform, startup founders can gain connections to the resources, mentors, and investors they need to succeed. Though not an accelerator per se, startups can access the VC4A Startup Academy which offers various online courses and learning materials by industry-leading companies and mentors. Furthermore, you can access and apply to various available startup programs on the platform, which will provide you with partner support programs, mentorship opportunities, and the potential to obtain funding.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Pangea is a business accelerator and investment platform that connects African startups with investors. The accelerator provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to improve their skills, gain access to key networks, and raise funding to grow their startups. The accelerator runs for three months and is focused on milestones that emphasize validation and scalability.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Founder Institute is a renowned global network and accelerator program that will assist you in all your business growth stages. Through their FI Core Program, they will help you in transforming your idea from the pre-seed phases to achieve the milestones required for funding and long-term growth. Alumni who completed the FI Core Program can also gain free access to their consulting sessions, as well as access to their worldwide network to help them move to the next stage of their startup growth journey.
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in Ethiopia
Full list of growth-stage startup accelerators in Ethiopia:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
MEST Africa is a technology entrepreneur training program that empowers aspiring and existing African entrepreneurs with the resources, skills, and knowledge needed to develop a successful tech startup. Their acceleration and incubation programs provide entrepreneurs with a real competitive advantage through investment, company incubation, and access to a global tech network, in addition to tech and entrepreneurial skills training.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
GrowthAfrica serves as a growth partner committed to assisting entrepreneurs in transforming African initiatives into successful organizations through business acceleration, strategic assistance, and access to capital. They offer an African accelerator program directed at post-revenue African startups looking to expand in and across Africa. The program will allow startups to receive mentoring from industry experts that will provide founders with the tools and knowledge they need to analyze their businesses and their challenges, as well as build the skills needed to overcome them. The program will also aid startups in preparing for investments, crafting their financial models and strategic plan, and learning leadership skills.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Ethiopia
With a fast-rising African economy and a huge young population of over 112 million people, Ethiopia presents immense opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. However, the country still faces significant hurdles to enhance its growth engine. The government, as well as public and private sector players and other ecosystem stakeholders, need to cooperate in order to bring forth the revolutionary change required to realize its development goals. With increased collaboration in the sector, the number of startup support programs such as incubators and accelerators should rise in due time.