The Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2026 is open for African early-stage tech startups able to construct and scale with superior connectivity and processing applied sciences. This equity-free mentorship programme helps founders entry knowledgeable teaching, engineering steerage, IP assist, and visibility throughout the innovation ecosystem.
Africa’s deep-tech ecosystem — particularly in areas like AI, IoT (Web of Issues), prolonged actuality (XR), and next-generation compute — is rising quick. Nonetheless, many startups battle to entry specialised engineering assist, enterprise mentoring, and mental property safety sources that may assist them transfer from prototype to market traction. Qualcomm’s programme is designed to scale back these gaps by bringing world experience on to African innovators.
What the Program Provides (Advantages)
✔ 1:1 Mentorship from Qualcomm Specialists
Chosen startups work individually with Qualcomm engineers and enterprise strategists to enhance product growth and readability of worth proposition.
✔ Masterclasses and Technical Coaching
Individuals achieve sensible periods on:
- Synthetic intelligence (AI) and machine studying (ML)
- IoT and embedded techniques
- Prolonged actuality (XR)
- Superior compute
- Mental property (IP) technique and patent issues
- Product administration and pitching to buyers
✔ Stipend & IP Submitting Assist
- Many individuals are eligible for a USD $5,000 stipend after finishing programme necessities.
- Reimbursement assist of as much as USD $5,000 for utility patent filings in Africa, the U.S., or through PCT pathways.
- Patent submitting consultations with skilled IP legislation companies can be found.
✔ Networking & Visibility
You’ll be able to showcase your enterprise at a digital finale occasion the place you join with buyers, ecosystem companions, and potential collaborators. A Social Affect Fund award is given to standout ventures through the finale.
Eligibility (Who Ought to Apply)
To take part, your startup should:
- Be a registered firm working in Africa.
- Be within the early stage (pre-seed to seed, ideally with a minimal viable product).
- Construct options that leverage superior applied sciences or hardware-enabled techniques, reminiscent of connectivity, AI, IoT, embedded compute, or related fields.
There’s no buy or cost required to enter. Participation is equity-free Qualcomm doesn’t take possession in return for assist.
Utility Deadline & Timeline
📅 Deadline: 15 February 2026
After functions shut, Qualcomm evaluations submissions, shortlists startups, and begins the mentorship section, culminating in a digital finale occasion on the finish of this system yr.
Find out how to Apply (Steps)
- Go to Qualcomm’s Make in Africa web page: Follow links from the official Africa innovation portal.
- Learn the total eligibility and pointers on the positioning and within the official guidelines doc.
- Put together your submission: Embrace clear descriptions of your startup’s mission, product, crew, know-how stack, traction (if any), and your roadmap for progress.
- Submit on-line earlier than the deadline: Full all required fields and uploads.
- Verify your electronic mail: Shortlisted groups are notified for subsequent phases.
Ideas for a Sturdy Submission
💡 Make clear your downside and resolution: Clearly clarify what problem your know-how addresses and the way your product improves on current options.
💡 Spotlight tech innovation: Buyers and mentors search for proof of innovation and technical differentiation.
💡 Present early outcomes: Metrics or person suggestions can strengthen your case even for those who’re pre-revenue.
💡 Join enterprise and tech: Describe how your crew will obtain product–market match and scale.
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