National Basketball Association Africa (NBA) Launches Accelerator Focused on Early-Stage African Startups

“Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” Will Provide Top African Startup Companies in the Sports and Creative Industries with Funding and Mentorship Across Event Management and Ticketing, Youth Development, AI and Digital Marketing; ALX to Operate Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator (www.NBA.com) and Oversee Selection Process; Startups Can Apply to Participate at TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com.

In alignment with President Biden’s Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative and in continuation of the U.S. Department of Commerce-wide Africa strategy, NBA Africa has introduced the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” a startup accelerator centered in Africa, specifically targeting early-stage African startup companies.

“Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” aims to bolster Africa’s tech landscape and nurture the upcoming generation of African tech entrepreneurs by furnishing them with mentorship and capital, crucial for fostering growth within the sports and creative sectors on the continent.

Managed by ALX Ventures, a prominent technology incubator facilitating access to essential skills and resources for launching and scaling startups across the continent, “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” welcomes applications from early-stage startups in Africa focusing on solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing within the sports and creative fields. Interested startups can submit their applications via TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com until Friday, May 31, following which the top 10 submissions will be selected.

The chosen 10 startups will be paired with mentors drawn from NBA Africa, ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders, offering guidance on product development, business expansion, and go-to-market strategies. In September, NBA Africa plans to host a Demo Day in New York City, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where participating companies will present their products to a panel comprising industry leaders from the U.S., Africa, and globally. The panel will then select four winning companies to receive financial backing, mentorship, and the opportunity to collaborate with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on current and future initiatives across the continent.

The announcement was made by NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi during the American Chamber of Commerce’s Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong.

“We are excited to launch an accelerator program based in Africa, tailored for early-stage African startups,” expressed Akamanzi. “This groundbreaking initiative underscores our dedication to enhancing the African sports ecosystem, with these remarkable companies poised to lead the future of sports on the continent.”

Further details regarding the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” will be disclosed at a later time.