The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, and National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) are excited to announce the timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator Programme, a transformative initiative of the timbuktoo MineTech Hub designed to drive innovation in mining technology, empower start-ups, and scale transformative technologies in the African mining sector.
The timbuktoo MineTech Hub is a first of its kind on the African Continent with a focus on reimagining the mining industry through the empowerment of youth-led startups. The Accelerator Programme provides access to networks, high tech products, and financial resources. Through the Accelerator Programme, the timbuktoo initiative aims to foster sustainability and operational efficiency, unlocking new opportunities for socio-economic development across the continent.
The timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator Programme aims to identify and support innovative mining-tech start-ups from across Africa, focusing on tech-enabled solutions that revolutionise the mining industry.
Objectives
- The MineTech Accelerator Programme seeks to achieve the following key objectives:
- Promote Innovation: Develop cutting-edge technologies that enhance mining operations.
- Support and Scale Startups: Accelerate the growth and investment readiness of emerging ventures in mining technology.
- Enhance Capacity: Equip entrepreneurs with essential skills through targeted workshops and mentorship.
- Foster Collaboration: Build partnerships among industry leaders, investors, regulators, and academia.
- Drive Economic Growth: Contribute to regional socio-economic development through technology-driven advancements.
Focus Areas
- Focus areas for the MineTech Accelerator include:
- Waste management and efficient mineral recovery.
- Data visualization and interpretation.
- Drone applications and surveying.
- Sustainability-focused mining innovations.
Scope
- The initiative unfolds in several strategic phases to provide comprehensive support for start-ups:
- Recruitment and Bootcamp: Start-ups from across Africa will be selected via outreach, partnerships, and community engagement. The 4-week bootcamp broken down as 2-weeks in person and 2-weeks virtual will include:
- Problem definition exercises
- Prototype development and personas
- Business modelling and market validation
- Pitch development workshops
- Participants will gain access to mentorship, market opportunities, product refinement, and strategic guidance.
- timbuktoo MineTech Hub: The Hub hosted at NISIR will facilitate collaboration with regulators, mining corporations, and innovation hubs across Africa. Outreach activities will engage a wide range of stakeholders through webinars, social media campaigns, and curated events.
- Post-Grant Support: The programme will offer post-grant support to ensure start-ups have the resources and guidance they need to continue growing, scale their solutions, and drive impact.
- Recruitment and Bootcamp: Start-ups from across Africa will be selected via outreach, partnerships, and community engagement. The 4-week bootcamp broken down as 2-weeks in person and 2-weeks virtual will include:
Funding Information
- For the second phase of the programme, the selected start-ups will each receive $25,000 in equity-free funding, enabling them to refine their solutions and scale their businesses.
Eligibility Criteria
- Start-ups applying to the programme must meet the following criteria:
- Founders must be nationals of an African Union member state and be domiciled in Africa.
- Start-ups must address mining industry challenges using technology-based solutions.
- The programme strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups.
For more information, visit UNDP.
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