Infographics from UNDP
A neon-lit digital map of Africa with glowing circuit patterns set the stage in Nairobi as 500 Global, one of the world’s most active venture capital firms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of three new programs designed to strengthen Africa’s innovation landscape.
The three founder-focused initiatives, unveiled in Nairobi, are designed for startups at various stages of growth.
They are co-designed to provide tailored support for entrepreneurs, ranging from those just beginning their journey to founders preparing to scale.
The first, the Pre-Acceleration Academy, will run in person from October 6 to 12.
It is tailored to early-stage entrepreneurs, offering guidance to shape their ideas into viable businesses.
The second, the Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator, targets seed-stage startups developing solutions with a sustainability lens.
The third, 500 Global’s Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers, focuses on training innovation leaders and incubator managers under UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative, equipping them to advance Africa’s broader startup ecosystem.
Together, the three programs aim to enhance Africa’s innovation capacity, while also expanding opportunities for investment in founders across the continent.
“With the launch of these programs, we are excited for 500 Global to deepen our work with African entrepreneurs and to help them adapt to this new global landscape. We are looking forward to working closely with partners like UNDP across the continent to provide the infrastructure for sustained innovation and growth,” said Mareme Dieng, Partner, 500 Global.
The partnership is also about long-term capacity-building.
By combining 500 Global’s experience in venture investment with UNDP’s development mission, the two organizations hope to strengthen the networks and resources available to African founders.
“At UNDP, we believe that Africa’s future lies in the ingenuity of its people. Through this partnership with 500 Global, we are not just investing in startups; we are investing in innovators driving Africa’s sustainable transformation,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary General and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa.
“By equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and mentorship they need, we are building a resilient ecosystem that will power inclusive growth and deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Applications are currently open for all three programs, with details available on the Pre-Acceleration Academy and Sustainable Innovation Accelerator Program pages.
About UNDP
UNDP is the UN’s lead agency on poverty reduction, inequality, and climate action, with operations in 170 countries.
Its Timbuktoo initiative is a pan-African platform dedicated to unlocking the continent’s entrepreneurial potential by channeling support, funding, and mentorship to high-potential startups in key growth sectors.
About 500 Global
500 Global is a multi-stage venture capital firm with $2.1 billion in assets under management and a track record of investing in over 5,000 founders from more than 3,000 companies across 80+ countries.
500 Global first invested in Africa in 2011 and has since expanded its role beyond funding to ecosystem development.
In Egypt, for instance, the firm partnered with governmental and international agencies such as ITIDA and GIZ, supporting over 150 founders through accelerator education since 2022.
By anchoring these latest programs in Nairobi, 500 Global and UNDP are betting on the city’s position as a continental innovation hub while seeking to scale Africa’s next generation of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders.
