The African Innovation Academy (AIA) proudly announces the launch of iAccelerate SA, an innovative high school startup accelerator designed to empower South African students with essential entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

Officially launched on World Children’s Day, November 20, 2024, this initiative aspires to seamlessly connect the realms of education and the private sector, nurturing a spirit of innovation among young leaders.

Inspired by iXperiment, Romania’s pioneering high school startup accelerator, iAccelerate SA offers a structured four-month programme guiding students through the complex journey of entrepreneurship from ideation to investment. The curriculum, crafted in collaboration with the University of the Western Cape (UWC), provides participants with invaluable hands-on experience in problem-solving, critical thinking, and business development.

A Transformative 4-Stage Entrepreneurial Journey

The iAccelerate SA program follows a structured four-stage approach:

Ideate – Students explore real-world challenges and develop solutions using Design Thinking.
Innovate – Participants conduct market research and create prototypes of their business ideas.
Initiate – Students develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and test them in real market conditions.
Iterate – The final stage includes refining marketing strategies and pitching start-ups to investors.

Additionally, the programme includes workshops on marketing, financial literacy, and business strategy, mentorship from local and international entrepreneurs, and culminates in a final competition where promising projects secure further mentorship and funding opportunities.

For those eager to become part of this transformative initiative, click here to apply.

Click here to apply to be part of iAccelerate SA.

Strategic Partnerships for Impact

As the host institution, UWC plays a pivotal role in providing resources, student recruitment support, and career guidance for Grade 11 and 12 participants. The university’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will also support aspiring entrepreneurs in pursuing higher education and career development.

By fostering youth-led innovation and empowering students to become job creators rather than job seekers, iAccelerate SA is positioned to drive economic and social transformation across South Africa.

A Platform for Africa’s Future Innovators

"The launch of iAccelerate SA signifies a new era for youth entrepreneurship in Africa," stated Palesa Nangu, head of African Innovation Solutions and representative of the African Innovation Academy. "By equipping young minds with the tools to innovate and lead, we are actively shaping the future of business in South Africa and beyond."

Building on the success of iXperiment in Romania—which has gained global recognition from organisations such as TEDx, The Huffington Post, and Wharton Business School’s Knowledge@Wharton—iAccelerate SA aims to cultivate a similar thriving ecosystem of innovation tailored to South Africa’s distinctive social and economic landscape.

To apply for the iAccelerate SA programme, click here.

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Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: The Launch of iAccelerate SA in South Africa