About The Ideation Cohort
Our team is nimble and focused on changing the future of black people anywhere in the world. Join us.
MBM Africa’s Cohort program for founders looking to start a company in the next 3 -9 months. We teach founders processes to clarify the problem they’re solving and the value they are delivering – from the customer’s perspective.
Working within a cohort to define problem-market fit, each founder or team will develop elements of their business model in each workshop and present to the cohort for feedback and pressure testing of both their ideas and presentation skills
The program emphasises the Lean Startup school of thought, which calls for setting hypotheses and testing them. Participants will interview potential customers and create prototypes to assess customer behaviour. Each week, they will report their findings to the class and instructors for discussion.
Along the way, they will meet with mentors in entrepreneurship and subject matter areas to advance their thinking. Tools, topics, and methodologies include:
Program Overview
Through a three-phase program, cohorts of entrepreneurs will benefit by quickly building upon their idea using a variety of tested startup tools; gaining access to a valuable network of peers, mentors, and experts.
The goal is to prepare entrepreneurs for their next steps whether that may be finding a cofounder and building a team, bootstrapping and launching, seeking outside funding, applying to another accelerator program, or exploring a new idea!
A typical week during the program may look like:
Build
Work on your business or business idea throughout the week.
Get Support
One-On-One support during weekly mentors and advisors meetings.
Classes
Attend 2-hour virtual sessions on Wednesday & Friday from 10 AM.
Cohort Details
PHASE 1: IDEATION
- Who is this designed for?:
Anyone with an idea, existing or future entrepreneurs statewide, students. All types of business are invited:hobby, brick and mortar, consultants, scalable, tech, etc.
- How will it be conducted?:
Virtual Delivery.
PHASE 2: EXPLORE YOUR IDEATHREE, 2-HOUR WEEKLY SESSIONS
- Who is this designed for:
Post-idea, pre-solution entrepreneurs. Ideally you participated in Phase 1, however entrepreneurs who participated in SUW, entrepreneurs who can prove they have done customer discovery work through another program or on their own are welcome to apply.
- How:
Virtual Organised cohort peer sessions and advisor hours.
- What content will be delivered?:
Weekly content focused on the lean canvas, testing your idea, and the reality of startup life.
PHASE 3: EXECUTE AND STARTUPSIX, 2-HOUR WEEKLY SESSIONS
- Who is this designed for:
An entrepreneur who has a developed idea but is still pre-revenue. Most will have completed Phase 2, although entrepreneurs who have completed similar work in other programs may apply.
- How:
Similar to Phase 2 but with the introduction of guest speakers. Sessions are mostly entrepreneur-led check-ins.
- What content will be delivered?:
Weekly content focused on market validation, building business structures, goal setting, branding/messaging, financing.
Should You Apply?
Do you have an aptitude for building and creating? An interest in entrepreneurship and a love of learning? Curiosity, hustle, and a bit of grit?
Then we’re looking for YOU.
The Ideal Applicant
Must be African
You must be based in Africa, a person of African descent or an African Diaspora and targeting your products primarily to the African market or outside of Africa. We believe that building strong entrepreneur ecosystems leads towards a stronger economy and future for all Africans.
Must be at an early stage
Whether you’re in the pre-revenue stage or just need some extra funding, we’re always happy to hear about innovative ideas in the field of biotechnology.
We want to work with you to discuss your business idea or proposal in person.
–Do you have a business plan?
–Do you have a business model?
–Do you have someone to find funding?
–Do you have someone who will help make the product?
If you need funding, can you tell us why you need funding?
Recent Graduate
We love University students! But, it’s not a requirement and we welcome all.
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage women entrepreneurs to apply.
Pricing Plans
- Community
- Community
- Academy
- Community
- Academy
- Events
- Community
- Academy
- Events
- Cohort
Have Questions?
Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
