On August 18, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, 500 Global, one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of three joint founder programs to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative, hosted in Nairobi, is designed to support startups at various stages of growth, offering tailored acceleration programs to meet their specific needs.
The first program, the Pre-Acceleration Academy, will run from October 6 to 12 and is designed to support founders at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator will provide targeted support for seed-stage founders working on solutions that drive sustainable innovation. The third program, 500 Global’s Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers, aims to upskill accelerator managers and incubators within UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative, equipping them with tools to foster innovation more effectively across the continent.
These programs reflect a shared vision between 500 Global and UNDP to strengthen Africa’s startup landscape and broaden opportunities for investment. According to Mareme Dieng, Partner at 500 Global, the collaboration marks an important step toward equipping African entrepreneurs with the necessary infrastructure, mentorship, and networks to adapt to the global business landscape and achieve sustained growth.
UNDP emphasized that the initiative goes beyond supporting startups, highlighting its role in nurturing Africa’s innovators who are driving sustainable transformation. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, noted that by providing entrepreneurs with the right tools, mentorship, and networks, the partnership is building a resilient ecosystem that fosters inclusive growth and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Together, 500 Global and UNDP aim to empower African founders with the expertise, resources, and connections to scale their ventures, creating a stronger foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.
