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Founders Fund Africa
Founders Fund Africa
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get answers to common questions about Founders Fund Africa

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Founders Fund Africa is a $1,000,000 initiative that provides funding, mentorship, and strategic support to early-stage creative entrepreneurs across Africa. We focus on ventures in music, film, gaming, content creation, and creative technology.

We’re looking for entrepreneurs with at least one founder of African descent, operating Africa-based businesses that serve African markets. Your venture should be in the creative industries or directly support the creative economy.

We support ventures in music, film, gaming, content creation, and creative technology. We also consider businesses that provide services, tools, or platforms that directly support these creative industries.

FUNDING QUESTIONS

We invest between $20,000 and $50,000 per startup, tailored to individual needs and assessed through initial evaluation.

We use convertible notes with flexible terms designed to support early-stage growth. These convert to equity upon a qualifying funding round or predetermined valuation cap.

No. Our convertible notes delay equity conversion until a future funding round, allowing you to retain control while receiving the capital you need to grow.

Convertible notes typically don’t require monthly repayments. Instead, they convert to equity when you raise additional funding or reach predetermined milestones.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will open soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when applications go live and receive deadline updates.

The full process typically takes approximately 4-6 weeks from application deadline to program start:

  • Application review phase

  • Interviews with shortlisted candidates

  • Final selection announcement

  • Program orientation and start

You need a completed application form and either a business plan or pitch deck (PDF format).

Yes, but you should have a clear business concept, identified target market, and plan for execution. We prefer applicants with some market validation or early traction.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Selected founders join our intensive one-month bootcamp, followed by a three-month accelerator program with ongoing mentorship and support.

The bootcamp requires full-time commitment. The accelerator program is designed to work with your business operations but requires significant time investment for mentorship sessions and program activities.

The program takes place in Lagos, Nigeria. We’re starting in Lagos for our inaugural cohort and are committed to making the program accessible to founders across Africa.

Our convertible notes convert to equity only upon future funding rounds or predetermined triggers. We don’t take immediate equity stakes.

SUPPORT & MENTORSHIP

You’ll receive personalized mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, industry veterans, and creative leaders. This includes weekly one-on-one sessions and group workshops.

Yes. We provide introductions to potential customers, partners, and investors. Our network includes distributors, platforms, and market makers across Africa’s creative industries.

Beyond the formal program, you’ll have access to our alumni network, ongoing mentorship opportunities, and priority consideration for follow-on funding.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Yes, as long as at least one founder is of African descent and the business is based in Africa serving African markets primarily.

We prefer businesses focused on African markets, but we consider ventures with global ambitions that maintain strong African roots and contribute to the continent’s creative economy.

We include music, film, gaming, content creation, digital media, creative technology platforms, talent management, and businesses providing tools/services that directly support creative professionals.

Still have questions? Contact us at hello@foundersfundafrica.com