Startupbootcamp, Mara & Blend Launch $250M Africa Startup Fund

Startupbootcamp, a global accelerator, has announced its second fund in Africa in partnership with Mara Group and Blend Financial Services in a seven-year deal to establish five innovation hubs across Africa and launch a $250 million USD fund.

These hubs will act as catalysts for identifying, mentoring, and investing in the continent’s most promising entrepreneurs and startups. The focus will be on empowering a new generation of founders to become industry leaders, setting the pace for Africa’s growth in finance, healthcare, logistics, and other key sectors.

“We are thrilled to reignite our commitment to Africa,” said Kauan von Novack, Global CEO at Startupbootcamp. “Partnering with Mara and Blend allows us to tap into local expertise and networks, building upon the successes we’ve achieved and ensuring we support African startups with the capital, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive.”

The five hubs will be strategically located across major cities in Africa, fostering a diverse and inclusive startup environment. With Blend’s extensive market knowledge and Startupbootcamp’s world-class acceleration capabilities, this collaboration will leverage their combined strengths to offer African founders access to a global network, funding, and industry expertise.

Blend’s founder and managing director, Ravi Gupta said his firm aims to accelerate the growth of startups that will transform industries and improve lives across the continent while Startupbootcamp Africa chairman and founder of Mara Group and Mara Foundation, Ashish J. Thakkar, added the partnership with Startupbootcamp will empower and inspire young and women entrepreneurs.

Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry-focused startup accelerators. It provides mentorship, funding, and resources to early-stage companies in various industries and offers a three-month acceleration program to selected startups. During this accelerator, startups receive mentorship from industry experts, access to our global network of partners, and funding to help them grow their business. Startupbootcamp accepts startups from various industries and not just tech startups.