Harambeans are African innovators who have pledged to “work together as one” to build Africa’s future. Over the last decade, Harambeans has spawned a series of tech-enabled ventures which have collectively raised over $2bn from leading VCs around the world. It is designed to provide ambitious young leaders from across the African continent with the skills, resources, and mentorship needed to transform their ideas into successful ventures. The program is part of Harambee’s broader mission to address youth unemployment by creating opportunities for talent development, capacity building, and access to economic opportunities in Africa’s rapidly evolving tech and business landscape.
Participants in this cohort benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that combines technical skills training with business acumen. They receive hands-on mentorship from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and business leaders who provide insights into navigating the complexities of starting and scaling ventures in Africa. The program also emphasizes innovation and encourages participants to leverage technology to solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, such as financial inclusion, healthcare access, education, and sustainable development. By equipping participants with tools like digital transformation strategies and startup development frameworks, the cohort aims to build a robust ecosystem of problem-solvers and change-makers.
Beyond skills training, the Harambee Next Leading African Innovator in Tech and Business Cohort provides a platform for networking and collaboration among peers and stakeholders from different sectors. This collaborative environment enables participants to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and form strategic partnerships that can help accelerate their ventures. The program often includes opportunities to pitch to investors and showcase innovations to potential partners, providing a pathway to secure funding and scale their businesses.
The cohort is highly selective, targeting individuals who demonstrate strong leadership potential, innovative thinking, and a passion for making a positive impact in their communities. It aims to not only foster individual growth but also contribute to the broader economic transformation of Africa by supporting a new wave of leaders who are equipped to drive technological advancements and sustainable business solutions. Through the Harambee Next Leading African Innovator in Tech and Business Cohort, participants gain the skills, networks, and confidence needed to be at the forefront of Africa’s tech and entrepreneurial renaissance.
Benefits
Additionally, successful applicants will benefit the following:
- Connect with a community of like-minded individuals focused on African-related ventures.
- Gain access to specific opportunities such as Fellowships, Prosperity Fund, or Scholarships.
- Receive mentorship and support for your social or business venture related to Africa.
- Increase visibility within a network dedicated to impactful African ventures.
- Benefit from resources and programs aimed at developing skills and knowledge.
Requirements For The Harambee Next Leading African Innovator in Tech and Business Cohort
To become Harambeans eligible candidates
- Must be of African birth or origin;
- Currently enrolled in a college or university or be a recent graduate, and be at the early idea stage or advanced stages of a social or business venture focused on or related to Africa.
To gain access to specific opportunities within the Alliance i.e. Fellowships, Prosperity Fund, Scholarships please refer to the specific eligibility criteria for the opportunity.
Selection Process
Only a pre-screened pool of applicants will undergo rounds of interviews with Harambeans.
Method of Application
Candidates must submit an application consisting of the following completed sections:
- Your Venture
- Progress to Date
- Essays
- Harambean Opportunities
- Mentors
- Recommendations
- Leadership & Work Experience- Awards / Recognition & Skills
- Education
- General Information
- Terms & Conditions
When you are ready to begin an application, you may start an application below. To ensure that your thoughtful responses to our essay questions are kept safe, we recommend you first draft and save your answers offline. Do note that you can save your responses and continue at a later time by clicking the save option on the top right corner of your application page.
Application deadlines:
Regular Admission Deadline is October 31, 2024
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