23 Jan 2017

The collaboration between Barclays Africa and Techstars will offer a game-changing opportunity to 10 qualifying fintech startups.

According to a press release, applications have opened for the Barclays Accelerator programme, powered by Techstars, an initiative aimed at uncovering the next M-Pesa or Paypal by working with exceptional fintech entrepreneurs innovating Africa’s financial services industry.

Managing director of Techstars, Yossi Hasson said he believes that being part of Techstars gives companies an advantage when it comes to scaling globally.

He added that the depth of experience that the Techstars team and global mentor network has in working with and investing in over 900 start-ups is unprecedented for the African continent.

The accelerator programme states the release, pushes for one year’s worth of traction in three months.

Selected start-ups will be given the opportunity to enter or expand their presence in the African marketplace via Barclays Africa Group’s customer, product, and technology teams. Leveraging the global footprint of Rise, the selected start-ups will also have the chance to scale globally through Rise sites in London, New York, Mumbai, Tel Aviv and Vilnius.

The Accelerator offers companies an advantage over others by providing a proven curriculum and lifelong access to the Techstars global network of mentors, investors and venture capitalists. ENDS