OST Programme 2025 launches $20,000 funding for African startups and talents
Are you an early-stage startup or an African solo talent? Applications are now being accepted for the five-month online OST programme 2025, which aims to provide financing, training, and mentorship to Africa’s early-stage startups and solo talents like tech specialists, early-career professionals, students, designers, marketers, and strategists who want to get hands-on startup experience.
The OST Programme is a pan-African pre-seed accelerator created in collaboration with Columbia business school and Columbia Engineering. It supports small teams and individuals to hone their concepts, create strong business plans, and gain access to capital and global opportunities.
With the supervision of OST mentors, and advisors, they obtained funds and expanded their influence throughout East Africa. One of its main highlights is the regional event in Tunisia, where a selected group of companies meet with Columbia Business School professionals and MBA students in person to share knowledge and develop long-lasting relationships.
Benefits for early-stage startups
Selected startups will get the following benefits from the OST programme 2025:
- Funding and Investment: Access to $20,000 funding for business with significant potential
- Mentorship and training: Participants will learn from experts directly, including Columbia University instructors who will mentor you from the idea stage to creating a viable product and introducing it to the market
- Access to the OST portfolio and network: Top startups will join the expanding network of African startups known as OST. Each startup that advances to the next level is simply required to provide OST with 1% ownership
- Global network: Opportunity to access, engage, and establish connections with international community and investors
- Team building help: Access to post programme assistance with finding and scaling
Benefits for Solo talents
- Opportunity to become a part of a startup team in a whole ecosystem of innovation
- A means to develop your business abilities and broaden your professional prospects
- Access to skilled mentorship and practical startup experience
Who can apply
To be eligible for the OST Programme 2025, applicants need to:
- Be an African startup in its early stage or a solo talent
- Show that you are dedicated in creating solutions that have a big influence
- Possess an MVP or proof of concept
- Be ready to participate in the five-month hybrid programme
Startup from any sector are welcome to apply, but the programme is particularly for startups in finance, health, education and climate solutions.
ALSO READ: Greentech Africa 2025 launches $10k equity-free funding for startups
Key dates to remember
- Application open: Monday, April 28, 2025.
- Virtual training: The OST Programme 2025 is entirely virtual and will span from July to November 2025
How to apply
In order to apply, applicants must provide the required information about their business or if it’s a solo talent, qualifications and expertise. Application to OTP programme 2025 are to be submitted via the official Open Startup International website. All participants must submit their application on or before Saturday, May 10, 2025.
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