African entrepreneurs gain AI tool for speedy startup innovation
GIIG and SparkRockets have launched an AI-driven startup tool for rapid ideation.
'For too long, startup success has been skewed by access to resources, not just the strength of the idea,' said Jo Griffiths, co-founder of GIIG.
'Enabling African entrepreneurs to access SparkRockets is a massive leap forward in our ability to have impact at scale.'
'Democratizing access to entrepreneurship around the globe is a top priority for SparkRockets,' said Scott Ford, CEO of SparkRockets.
'Our pilot program with GIIG was a great success, and we are thrilled to expand SparkRockets to benefit entrepreneurs across all of Africa.'
Accessible for Accelerators, ESOs, and Universities
Accelerators, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs), and university programs can now access SparkRockets licenses through GIIG Africa.
By harnessing AI, SparkRockets ensures that no entrepreneur has to navigate the startup journey alone. It serves as a co-pilot, mentor, and strategist, offering expert insights that turn bold business dreams into market-ready realities.
The platform has also been deployed in over 150 university entrepreneurship programs globally, demonstrating its impact in diverse startup ecosystems.
'Entrepreneurship has been a powerful force in the world, lifting economies, communities, families, and individuals worldwide—creating generational wealth. This has been especially true in industrialised nations.
'Together, SparkRockets and GIIG democratize entrepreneurship and put the power of specialty startup programs—usually only found in places like Silicon Valley—into the hands of brilliant, ambitious founders all over Africa. Let a million new ventures bloom,' said professor Sean Branagan, professor of media and innovation, The Newhouse School at Syracuse University
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Orange Middle East and Africa and risingSUD join forces
This three-year partnership aims to bring together innovation ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East and the South of France. At the Viva Technology trade show in Paris, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA), represented by CEO Jérôme Hénique, and risingSUD, led by President Bernard Kleynhoff, announced a strategic partnership designed to accelerate the international growth of African startups. The agreement, spanning three years, will support the integration of startups from the Orange Digital Centre network into the dynamic business environment of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France. The partnership aims to connect innovation ecosystems across Africa, the Middle East and southern France. Startups within the Orange Digital Centre network will receive dedicated support from risingSUD, the regional economic development agency, to establish operations in an area already home to 500,000 companies, including global tech leaders and forward-thinking startups. This collaboration strengthens OMEAs efforts to internationalise African and Middle Eastern startups and highlights its broader commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship across the continent. With a presence in 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East and eight in Europe, the Orange Digital Centre network offers an inclusive and accessible platform for digital training, startup incubation and acceleration, and project funding. Already this year, risingSUD has helped 14 African businesses set up in southern France, including Guépard, a startup from the Orange Digital Centre in Tunisia, which recently opened an office in Marseille. The new partnership will expand such opportunities, enabling more startups from Africa and the Middle East to benefit from risingSUDs expertise, whether through project support, financing access, or connections with international partners. It also opens pathways for local talent and entrepreneurs in southern France to engage with the Orange Digital Center network. ?Commenting on the partnership, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, commented: This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally. It is a continuation of the support we offer startups through our Orange Digital Centers. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, particularly in the South region, we are giving young African companies the means to accelerate their growth. Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD and President of the Economic and Digital Development, Industry, Export, Attractiveness and Cybersecurity Commissions of the Sud Region, added: 'Thanks to its strategic position, its historical trade flows and its commitment to innovation, the South of France is a natural bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is now the leading French region for hosting African investment projects. This partnership opens up new economic opportunities and constitutes a real springboard for the development of businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean.'
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sharjah 24
SCCI underscores need for facilitating trade missions to Ethiopia
Strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties The Chamber also seeks to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the UAE and Ethiopia, as part of its strategic vision to expand the outreach of its trade mission throughout Africa. These remarks were made during a meeting, held at SCCI's headquarters, between Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, and Aklilu Kebede Erena, Consul General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Duba and Northern Emirates. The meeting was attended by a number of SCCI board members, alongside Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI, and several officials from both sides. Discussed ways to strengthen economic partnership During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to strengthen economic partnership between Sharjah and Ethiopia. They underscored the potential for expanding investment and trade in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. They also addressed the importance of co-hosting economic events, including exhibitions and conferences that bring together business communities from both countries, thereby fostering the exchange of expertise and supporting the growth of mutual investments.4 The efforts can by further reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Sharjah Chamber and the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), which provides a strategic framework for enhancing bilateral economic and investment cooperation. AED 34 billion between 2013 and 2022 Abdallah Sultan Al Owais extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and praised the strong and growing economic relations between the UAE and Ethiopia. He noted that non-oil trade between the two countries recorded a growth of more than 180% over the past years, reaching a cumulative value of AED 34 billion between 2013 and 2022. He added that these positive outcomes pave the way for broader economic and trade collaboration between the two friendly nations, enabling both sides to capitalize on their diverse investment opportunities. Reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to deepening economic partnerships with East African countries Al Owais reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to deepening economic partnerships with East African countries, noting that the African continent, particularly Ethiopia, possesses significant investment potential in key sectors. This positions the continent as a highly attractive destination for investors and business leaders from Sharjah and the UAE at large. For his part, Aklilu Kebede Erena commended the Sharjah Chamber for its proactive efforts to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and its commitment to fostering closer ties between the business community in Sharjah and its counterparts in Ethiopia. He emphasised that Ethiopia welcomes foreign investment and offers promising opportunities in vital sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure.
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Arabian Post
African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal
Applications from African professionals to American MBA programmes are climbing sharply, driven by robust scholarship support, evolving diversity strategies, and a post-pandemic appetite for international career mobility. African candidates are finding new momentum in American business schools thanks to generous funding sources such as the TY Danjuma MBA Scholarship, established in 2011. The fund supports admissions at top‑ranked global institutions, awarding 64 students from nations including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as of June 2025. Beyond philanthropy, several US business schools have intensified recruitment of African talent through partnerships with organisations like the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, dedicated to broadening minority representation. Insiders at leading MBA consultancies confirm growing African interest in US programmes. Scott Edinburgh, an established Boston‑based admissions consultant, attributes this surge to the unparalleled career placement and expansive networking opportunities American MBAs provide. Demand is intensifying despite global shifts in immigration policies. ADVERTISEMENT This trend coincides with a broader graduate‑level movement. Data from AACSB‑accredited schools shows master's level international enrolment, including MBA participation, grew by 30 percent from 2018–19 to 2023–24. Notably, Africa recorded a 53 percent rise in enrolment across master's programmes during that period. Admissions surveys indicate talent from Africa is drawn not just by reputational prestige but also by programmes tailored to their ambitions. Institutions are proactively wooing African candidates with targeted initiatives. Several top MBAs have launched diversity recruitment drives, some in alliance with global equity‑focused organisations, while others offer Africa‑specific case studies and entrepreneurial encouragement. The success of applicants from Africa and underrepresented groups in general is being amplified by post‑affirmative action efforts. Certain programmes have posted increases in minority enrollment, with schools such as UC Berkeley Haas and University of Michigan Ross reporting near‑doubling of underrepresented minority intakes. That momentum extends to African aspirants, especially as institutions emphasise real‑world impact of graduates from diverse backgrounds. However, this enthusiasm coincides with challenges. Admission cohorts prefer candidates in their mid‑20s with approximately five years of work experience, and delaying application could hinder competitiveness. African candidates must act swiftly, aligning with Round 1 application cycles, as advised by admissions consultants like Ibonye, an MTN strategist based in Lagos. Still, visa uncertainties and geopolitical tensions persist. For instance, the US State Department has announced stricter scrutiny of Chinese applicants, though African students have yet to face similar restrictions. In response, universities continue reinforcing support structures, offering legal advice, career services, and alumni networks to ensure smooth integration. Funding remains a pivotal factor. Beyond institutional aid, African-focused scholarships such as the TY Danjuma fund—which covers tuition and living expenses for students admitted to Financial Times–ranked top‑10 schools—play a key role. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate financial need and secure early confirmation of funding. There is also mounting emphasis on entrepreneurship. Business schools are increasingly incorporating African‑relevant case studies, and some are including incubator programmes aimed at scaling African SMEs. Experts suggest this strengthens curricula and fosters durable global impact. Taken together, the rise of African applications to American MBA programmes signifies a strategic realignment. With strong financial backing, supportive institutional networks, and a bold recruitment drive, these candidates are well‑positioned to enter competitive cohorts. Meanwhile, schools welcome these professionals for their potential to energise diverse learning environments and contribute new perspectives to global leadership. As the 2025–26 admissions cycle unfolds, Africa is not merely keeping pace—it is reshaping the global MBA landscape, leveraging opportunity and ambition in equal measure.
