NBA Africa, the local affiliate of the US’ NBA basketball brand, today unveiled the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Start-up Accelerator, a continent-wide initiative focusing on early-stage enterprises.

Triple-Double: The NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will give Africa's digital ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs access to mentorship and financing.

ALX Ventures operates the accelerator, which is available to early-stage African start-ups developing solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing in the sports and creative industries.

Start-ups can apply to join on the accelerator website until 31 May. Once the applications have closed, entries will be filtered down to a top ten.

The ten selected start-ups will then be paired with mentors from NBA Africa and ALX leadership, as well as other corporate players, who will advise the companies on product development, company growth, and go-to-market strategy.

In September, NBA Africa will organise a Demo Day in New York to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, during which participating entrepreneurs will pitch their products to a panel of experts from the United States, Africa, and around the globe.

The panel will then select four winning organisations, which will get financial assistance, mentorship, and the opportunity to collaborate with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League on current and future initiatives across the continent.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, made the announcement today at the American Chamber of Commerce's Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. 

She said: “This ground breaking new initiative reflects our commitment to expanding the African sports ecosystem, and these incredible companies will be at the forefront of shaping the future of sport on the continent.”