Venture Capital for Africa (VC4A) is calling for applications for the VC4A Venture Showcase Africa – 2023, the annual accelerator programme that spotlights high-growth, high-impact start-ups driving economic growth on the continent.

The Showcase Africa is an opportunity for African founders leading innovative and disruptive startups and scale-ups, generating revenue and looking to raise their Seed or Series A round, to expose their businesses to the most active investors on the continent.

In a statement, the Netherlands-based VC4A says, since its launch in 2017, the VC4A Venture Showcase Africa has helped its alumni raise over $630 million, highlighting the programme’s success in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.

Announcing this year’s edition, VC4A says it partnered with Work In Progress and the African European Digital Innovation Bridge, AEDIB|NET (funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme).

It says: “Through VC4A’s partnership with AEDIB|NET, we aim to provide four themed tracks – namely Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Cities, Digital Trade, and Clean Tech – in addition to the two primary tracks of Series A and Seed fundraising. AEDIB|NET is dedicated to supporting African-based startups with disruptive solutions in one of the themed tracks in 11 selected African countries.”

Abu Cassim, who recently joined VC4A as acceleration team lead, comments: “The real value of the VC4A Venture Showcase Africa programme is the level of investor engagement. Investors are involved in referring startups, selecting the most appropriate companies, in the delivery of masterclasses and in the final pitch process. As a result, participating companies receive visibility with investors throughout the process.”

VC4A is inviting entities that share its vision and commitment toward strengthening entrepreneurship in Africa to join the programme.

“Working together, we can provide more significant opportunities for African founders to showcase their businesses and connect with prospective investors and partners,” says VC4A.

To apply for the VC4A Venture Showcase Africa – 2023, visit the company’s programme page. The application period closes on 17 May, 2023.