Startup Africa Roadtrip

What Startup Africa Roadtrip does

Startup Africa Roadtrip is a non-profit accelerator initiative founded in 2017 by BeEntrepreneurs APS, an Italian Associazione di Promozione Sociale headquartered in Bologna, Italy. It runs free bootcamps, mentoring programs, and roadshows to improve the investment readiness and business skills of early-stage African startups, with a primary focus on East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda) and recent expansion into North Africa (Morocco). The core programmatic offerings are Next Generation Africa (annual bootcamp + Italian roadshow), Impact Beyond Borders (Morocco, launched 2024 with Sisal), H.E.R.O. Kenya Edition 2026, Seeds for Sustainable Energy (Kenya, 2023), and the Startup Africa Talks podcast. Programs are delivered through in-person bootcamps hosted at African tech hubs (The Innovation Village in Kampala, KLA Lab in Kigali, Technopark in Casablanca), followed by immersive week-long roadshows in Italy connecting selected founders to European investors, corporates, and universities.

The initiative does not develop proprietary technology. Its technology footprint is limited to a WordPress-based website, social media channels, the Startup Africa Talks podcast on Spotify, and an online application portal. Its business model is purely donation- and grant-funded: the program never charges participating startups and is funded by institutional partners (Fondazione Cariplo, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Eni Joule, Last Minute Foundation), corporate sponsors (Sisal, Cisco, Uber, DHH, Primo Ventures, ETICA SGR), and the Italian Embassy in Uganda. Operations are executed by a volunteer network of 40-50 young professionals from 3 continents, supported by 1-10 paid staff. Reach to date includes 1,500+ startups in the database, 80+ entrepreneurial teams formed, 6 training programs completed 2017-2022, and 700,000+ social media reach.

Name

Startup Africa Roadtrip

Legal name

BeEntrepreneurs APS

Website

https://startupafricaroadtrip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Startup Africa Roadtrip is an Italian non-profit initiative by BeEntrepreneurs APS that runs free bootcamps, mentoring, and Italian roadshows to support early-stage African startups in investment readiness and ecosystem connections.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a non-profit initiative by BeEntrepreneurs APS, Startup Africa Roadtrip operates entirely on donations, grants, and volunteer contributions. The program has never charged participating startups for its acceleration services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Startup Africa Roadtrip runs free, non-profit accelerator programs for early-stage African startups, combining intensive in-country bootcamps (e.g., Kampala, Kigali, Casablanca), mentorship from international experts, demo days, and Italy/Europe roadshows that connect African founders with investors, corporates, and ecosystem players. The initiative is funded by donations, grants, and corporate partners, and all acceleration services are provided at no cost to selected startups.

Product overview

Startup Africa Roadtrip is a non-profit accelerator initiative organized by BeEntrepreneurs APS that supports African startups through multiple programs. The core offering includes the Next Generation Africa accelerator program (with bootcamps in East Africa and Italian roadshows), Impact Beyond Borders (Morocco-focused program), and H.E.R.O. Kenya Edition 2026. Additional offerings include the Startup Africa Roadshow for connecting African innovators with European ecosystems and the Startup Africa Talks podcast. All programs focus on sustainable impact, knowledge transfer, and building bridges between African and European innovation communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Next Generation Africa: Bootcamp and accelerator program for African early-stage startups with an Italian roadshow component.
• Startup Africa Roadshow
• Impact Beyond Borders
• H.E.R.O.
• Startup Africa Talks
• Seeds for Sustainable Energy

Products and services

• Next Generation Africa Annual accelerator program for early-stage African startups that combines intensive in-country bootcamps (e.g., Kampala, Kigali), international mentoring, demo days, and a culminating Italian roadshow. Selected startups participate free of charge.
• Impact Beyond Borders Morocco-focused acceleration program supporting early-stage startups in education, health and wellbeing, technology for good, fintech, climate, and environment. Includes a bootcamp in Casablanca and access to Sisal's GoBeyond acceleration ecosystem; best startup wins a 10,000 euro grant.
• H.E.R.O. (Harmonic Euro-African Ramp-up Orbit) A bridge program connecting African startups to European growth opportunities, starting with the Kenya Edition 2026.
• Startup Africa Roadshow Immersive Italian roadshow program bringing selected African startups to Italy to meet the European innovation ecosystem, with networking events, training, and investor meetings in Milan, Turin, Rome, and Bologna.
• Startup Africa Talks Podcast series available on Spotify featuring conversations with entrepreneurs and ecosystem players on African innovation and entrepreneurship.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of startups would recommend the bootcamp
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Italian Embassy in UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Institutional partner supporting the Next Generation Africa program. The Embassy has co-promoted bootcamps in Kampala and supported the Italian Roadshow, providing diplomatic and programmatic backing to the initiative.
• BeEntrepreneurs APScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe parent non-profit association that founded and runs the Startup Africa Roadtrip initiative. Based in Bologna, Italy, BeEntrepreneurs coordinates all programs and volunteer activities.
• SisalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian gaming company partnering on Impact Beyond Borders 2024 program in Morocco. Sisal provides financial support and access to their GoBeyond acceleration ecosystem. Best startup receives 10,000 euro grant.
• The Innovation VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier tech hub in Kampala, Uganda hosting the bootcamp programs. Provides venue, local ecosystem connections, and operational support for in-country activities.
• Technopark MoroccocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan tech park serving as venue for Impact Beyond Borders 2024 bootcamp in Casablanca. Key ecosystem partner for North Africa expansion.
• Makerere UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier Ugandan university that hosted Tech Week 2019 bootcamp. Provides academic credibility and access to student entrepreneurs.
• Hive ColabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUgandan tech hub and incubator, one of the 6 workshop collaborators for early editions of the program.
• E4ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian impact organization that collaborated on workshops for early editions, providing training expertise.
• Villgro KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan incubation organization that collaborated on workshops for early editions of the program.
• Outbox (incubator powered by Deloitte and Google)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUgandan tech incubator that organized startup challenges with mentors and juries from local companies.
• CiscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company hosting roadshow sessions at their cybersecurity co-innovation center in Milan.
• UberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting the 2022 roadshow and Italian activities.
• GoBeyond (Sisal Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSisal's acceleration program connecting Moroccan startups to Italian ecosystem as part of Impact Beyond Borders.
• AvsiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian NGO and development organization supporting programs.
• Startup Wise GuysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean accelerator providing mentorship and ecosystem connections.
• Politecnico di MilanominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university participating as ecosystem partner and hosting roadshow events.
• Bocconi UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian business school participating as ecosystem partner.
• Talent GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean co-working and innovation platform participating as ecosystem partner.
• OGR TorinominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficine Grandi Riparazioni in Turin hosting roadshow closing events.
• Cariplo FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub of Fondazione Cariplo hosting Milan roadshow events as part of Innovazione per lo Sviluppo program.
• 212 FoundersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan startup ecosystem partner for Impact Beyond Borders 2024.
• ALX VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican startup ecosystem partner for Impact Beyond Borders 2024.
• UM6P StartgateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan university startup gateway participating as ecosystem partner.
• Colourway/Impact HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact ecosystem partner for Impact Beyond Borders 2024.
• KLA LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRwanda tech hub partner for the Kigali-based programs.
• Stanbic Bank UgandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking partner supporting ecosystem activities.
• DigitonicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerItalian digital agency providing technical and web development support for the initiative.
• Spinel AdvisoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic advisory partner supporting the program.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StartAfricaRoad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_obXafEIZ4RFCUUtKkiC5w
• Facebookfacebook.com/StartupAfricaRoadtrip
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startup-africa-roadtrip
• Instagraminstagram.com/startupafricaroadtrip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup Africa Roadtrip