Techstars and Merce Anders Equity Group announced today the launch of Techstars Startup Community Catalyst Africa Botswana. 

Over the next two years, Techstars Startup Community Catalyst Africa Botswana will run a series of pre-accelerator and startup education programs including Techstars Founder Catalyst, Techstars Community Development Lab, and Techstars Startup Weekends. These programs are designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs refine their ideas, scale their businesses and drive long-term impact in their startup communities. 

Empowering Entrepreneurs Across Southern Africa

“Botswana is uniquely positioned to become a vibrant startup community,” says Emilie Vallauri, Program Manager at Techstars. “Through this partnership with Merce Anders Equity Group, we aim to unlock the full potential of entrepreneurs in Botswana and neighboring countries, enabling them to create transformative solutions locally and globally.”

The program will feature:

• Techstars Startup Weekend (March 28–30, 2025): A 54-hour immersive experience where aspiring entrepreneurs form teams, build innovative ideas, and pitch to a panel of judges. Winners will be offered a spot in the Founder Catalyst program.

• Techstars Community Development Lab (July 16, 2025): A one-day workshop designed for community leaders, innovators, and visionaries building the startup community in Botswana and the surrounding region. This invitation-only event provides a curated space for fostering collaboration, exchanging cutting-edge ideas, and equipping attendees with actionable strategies to cultivate sustainable ecosystems.

• Techstars Founder Catalyst (May 5–July 20, 2025): A 10-week hybrid pre-accelerator program focused on achieving funding readiness and scaling for growth. A cohort of up to 20 early-stage startups will be selected via the application process, which opens on January 13, 2025. 

Strategic Partnership for Impact

This collaboration between Techstars and Merce Anders Equity Group underscores a shared vision to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

Merce Anders Equity Group’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship provides a strong foundation for this initiative, ensuring it drives meaningful and sustainable impact.

“We are thrilled to partner with Techstars over the next two years as we work to reshape the South African Community Development Community (SADC) startup ecosystem and position it for global growth,” says Moagi Onkabetse, Executive Director of Merce Anders Equity Group. “Together, we aim to transform startups from ideation to scaling, driving venture capital into Botswana and SADC as a whole, unlocking its immense entrepreneurial potential. With our stakeholders, we are committed to establishing Botswana as both the startup capital of Africa and a prime destination for market-ready solutions. This partnership marks a significant step toward sustainable innovation and investment in the region.”

Apply Today

Applications for the Techstars Founder Catalyst Africa Botswana are now open! We invite founders from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to apply. Early applications are encouraged. The final deadline is March 16, 2025.

About Techstars

Techstars helps founders succeed. Through our global accelerators, we invest in early-stage startups led by founders building a better future for everyone. We leverage our vast network of alumni, mentors, partners, and investors to support entrepreneurs and build thriving startup communities. Since 2006, we have invested in industry-defining companies including Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, and many, many more. www.techstars.com 

About Merce Anders Equity Group

Merce Anders Equity Group is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurial growth across Africa. By providing mentorship, strategic support, and resources, the group is committed to enabling startups to thrive, scale, and create lasting impact within their communities and beyond.

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