Microsoft and NVIDIA African GenAI Accelerator
Microsoft has launched the GenAI Accelerator initiative to develop the African brightest and best AI-focused start-ups and springboard them to future success.
Innovation hotbed
In partnership with tech leader NVIDIA and the Microsoft Africa GenAI Accelerator will provide exclusive resources and opportunities to companies looking to build, market, and scale up their generative AI products and services.
The Accelerator, which will run from March 2025, is specifically tailored for African AI start-ups that have secured seed funding and are looking to take their products to the next level.
Microsoft is seeking companies whose innovative AI-powered products have the potential to change people’s lives for the better, create jobs, and have significant economic impact.
A hybrid format – part online, part in person – will ensure that geographical boundaries do not hinder participation, enabling a diverse range of companies to benefit from the resources and support on offer.
The Accelerator will culminate in a virtual “Pitch and Connect” event, during which participants will have the opportunity to showcase their products to top venture capitalists and private equity firms.
Microsoft and NVIDIA has partnered on this initiative to support African start-ups to scale up and fulfill the potential and bring huge impact to the African Continent by leveraging the power of AI.
The GenAI Accelerator addresses this issue by providing comprehensive support for the chosen participants, including technical guidance, advice on Go To Market strategy, and access to a network of leading investors.
NVIDIA will provide the following to participants:
- Technical support and opportunity to apply for the Inception Programme.
- Full-day workshop that includes technical deep dive and hands-on sessions.
- Coaching sessions with high-profile Inception startups
- Potential enterprise customer warm introduction.
- A virtual “Pitch and Connect” event with VCs and startups, offering networking and potential investment opportunities.
Microsoft will provide the following to participants:
- Helping with leveraging Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and go-to-market support, enabling founders to overcome challenges like scaling their solutions globally and accessing enterprise customers.
- Up to $150,000 in Azure Credits for Four Years: Startups can apply these credits towards leading AI models, including Azure OpenAI Service, Meta’s Llama, and Microsoft’s own small language model, Phi—enabling rapid and efficient scaling using cloud services tailored for AI, big data, and some specific applications. (This offer has changed since July 2025 please refer to Microsoft for Startups for details on the updated offers.)
- Microsoft Business Tools: Including productivity and development tools such as Microsoft 365, Visual Studio, and GitHub, along with dozens of discounts to startup-friendly offerings from our trusted partners like LinkedIn.
- GTM by offering go-to-market support, access to Microsoft’s global sales teams, and strategic co-selling opportunities.
Interested in applying to Microsoft and NVIDIA’s GenAI Accelerator in Africa and gaining access to world-class technology, mentorship and VC’s?
Here’s what you need to know.
- Target Group: Generative AI
- Launch Date: 4 December 2024 during Microsoft AI Startups Kenya Fest
- Application Period: 4 December 2024 to 30 January 2025
- Shortlisting: 3-10 February 2025 through a scoring system with a judging panel
- Announcement of Winners: End of February 2025
- Programme Start Date: 1 March 2025
- Pitch and Connect: TBC
- Who can apply? Suggested minimum requirements: Applicants must be incorporated, not publicly traded.
The selected cohort is required to register on both the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub and the NVIDIA Inception program. Please click the links below to register now.