Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) – Call for Applications 🚀

🚀 Call for Applications for the Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) Soft Landing 🚀

Are you a tech startup operating in Rwanda or Kenya with ready-to-scale solutions in Smart Mobility, Logistics, or E-Commerce? Then, we invite you to apply to the Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) and contribute to shaping the future of urban living in Africa!

What is the Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) Soft Landing?

The SCIP Soft Landing is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering 20 high-potential startups, 10 in Kigali and 10 in Nairobi focusing on smart mobility and logistics solutions. The programme is implemented by the Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali in Rwanda and Ambo Ventures in Kenya, in partnership with the GIZ Make-IT in Africa.

The startups will benefit from:

🔍 Expansion Readiness Assessments: Assess your startup’s readiness to scale to Rwanda or Kenya.

🎓 Capacity Building: Comprehensive workshops on local business environment, financing, marketing strategies, and more.

💼 Market Framework & Consultation: Consultation to develop a market strategy tailored to your startup targeted market (Rwanda/Kenya).

🌐 Ecosystem Mapping: Understanding the existing landscape in Smart Mobility, Logistics, and E-Commerce to identify collaboration and growth opportunities by engaging with leading companies, investors, and potential clients.

🌟 1-on-1 Coaching: Tailored guidance from industry experts in Logistics, E-Commerce, Mobility to sharpen your business strategy.

21-Day Exploratory Trips in Kigali/Nairobi:

🌐 Market Insights: Discover the target market’s landscape, opportunities, and challenges.

🤵 Meet Partners: Engage with potential clients, suppliers, and create market-relevant networks.

📝 Close Deals: Utilize the intensive 21 days to secure business deals and collaborations.

🏆 Demo Day in Kigali/Nairobi: An event in Kigali/Nairobi to gain recognition in the smart cities ecosystem and expand your network and present your achievements and future vision to a live audience, comprising potential investors and partners.

Program Tracks:

Smart Mobility: Innovative technologies to enhance transportation efficiency, sustainability, and safety.

Logistics: Cutting-edge solutions for goods and services delivery optimization, including e-commerce.

Requirements:

📍 Operations in Rwanda or Kenya: Your startup must be actively operational in either of these countries.

✅  Ready-to-Scale Solution: Proven track record evidenced by revenue, partnership secured, technology maturity and scalability, scalable business model and strong teams with the capability to solve urban challenges, social and environmental impact.

🌍  Alignment with Smart City Sectors: Solutions must be related to smart mobility or logistics to solve urban challenges in Kigali/Nairobi.

🛂  Ready to travel in Rwanda and Kenya : There will be two trips (Kenya-to-Rwanda, and Rwanda-to-Kenya), and selected startups will be required to be eligible to travel on these exploratory trips.

📅  Program Duration: 6 months

How to Apply:

Simply complete the application form below.  Only complete applications will be considered.

⏰ Deadline: 29th October 2023 at 11:59pm

🗓️ Info Sessions: We will organize two info sessions to answer all your queries about the program. 

Online Info session 1: 29th September at 3pm Kigali time/4pm Nairobi time

Info session 1 registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlf-murDkoHdFeiGbluvIPs-JGSZz1RyEP

Online Info session 2: 20th October at 3pm Kigali time/4pm Nairobi time

Info session 2 registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkc-uvrDwtHtc_0bGKbDW4bF3HOVe2oMbi

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Africa’s urban transformation journey! 

Apply today and make your mark on the Smart Cities of tomorrow!

📞 For any inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected]