Question 1

What is the Al Mada Startup Accelerator?

Accepted Answer

The program includes structured support across all stages, from ideation to acceleration. Founders benefit from expert mentorship, practical workshops, access to resources, and a strong startup ecosystem.

Question 2

What makes this program different from other accelerators?

Accepted Answer

We pair operator-grade support with deep institutional reach. Founders get hands-on time with people who have built and scaled companies in Africa, paths to follow-on capital through Al Mada’s vehicles, and access to corporate, investor, and policymaker networks that are typically out of reach for early-stage teams.

Question 3

How long does the program last?

Accepted Answer

Programs run between 8 and 16 weeks depending on the track. Ideation and Early Stage cohorts span 12 weeks, while HUB engagements are tailored to the venture and typically last 16 weeks with optional extended advisory.

Question 4

Is the program free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is no participation fee and we do not take equity for joining the program. Any capital that flows to selected founders is structured separately and disclosed transparently before any term sheet is signed.

Question 5

Is the program physical, digital, or hybrid?

Accepted Answer

It is hybrid. We run two in-person intensives — one at kickoff and one at demo — in Casablanca, with all other sessions delivered remotely. Travel and accommodation for the intensives are covered for selected teams.

Question 6

What happens at the end of the program?

Accepted Answer

Each cohort closes with a demo moment where founders present to investors, corporate partners, and the wider ecosystem. Beyond demo day, every founder joins Positive Link, our lifetime alumni and operator network, for continued support and capital introductions.

Question 7

What kind of resources are available?

Accepted Answer

Founders get a dedicated operating partner, a curated mentor bench, structured workshops on go-to-market, fundraising, hiring, and finance, plus tooling credits, legal and accounting support, and direct introductions to potential customers, partners, and investors.

Question 8

Who can apply?

Accepted Answer

Founders building category-defining companies in industries strategic to Africa — energy transition, agribusiness, financial infrastructure, healthtech, mobility, and the digital economy. Teams must have at least one full-time founder and operate primarily on the African continent.

Question 9

Do I need a registered company to apply?

Accepted Answer

No. You can apply pre-incorporation, especially for the Ideation track. For Early Stage and HUB, we expect a registered entity to be in place by the start of the program so we can structure any capital and partnerships cleanly.

Question 10

What stage should my startup be at?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the track. Ideation accepts pre-product or pre-revenue teams with strong founder–market fit. Early Stage looks for measurable traction (paying customers, signed LOIs, or pilot deployments). HUB is reserved for ventures with $1M+ ARR or equivalent strategic milestones.

Question 11

Is there a revenue requirement to apply?

Accepted Answer

Only for the HUB track, which targets ventures with around $1M+ ARR or equivalent traction. Ideation and Early Stage have no revenue threshold — we weigh founder–market fit, insight, and momentum more heavily than current top-line numbers.

Question 12

Can I apply as a solo founder?

Accepted Answer

Yes, particularly for the Ideation track. For Early Stage and HUB we strongly favor teams of two or more, but exceptional solo operators with a clear plan to expand the founding team are considered.

Question 13

Can I apply to multiple programs at the same time?

Accepted Answer

You can submit one application per cohort. If your company spans more than one track, apply to the one that best matches your current stage — our team will route you internally if a different track is a better fit.

Question 14

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

Applications open on our website ahead of each cohort. You’ll complete a short written form, share a deck or product walkthrough, and answer a few founder-specific questions. The full process usually takes 60 to 90 minutes.

Question 15

How many startups are selected per cohort?

Accepted Answer

Cohorts are intentionally small to keep support hands-on. We typically select 10 to 15 teams for Ideation and Early Stage, and 5 to 8 ventures for HUB.

Question 16

What happens after I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Every application is reviewed by at least two members of our team. Shortlisted founders are invited to a first interview, followed by a technical or commercial deep-dive with one of our operating partners, and a final committee review before a decision is communicated.

Question 17

How long does the selection process take?

Accepted Answer

We aim to communicate a final decision within four weeks of applications closing. Founders typically hear back about the first interview within ten business days of submitting.

Question 18

What criteria are used during selection?

Accepted Answer

Resilience, intellectual honesty, deep domain insight, and the ambition to build at continental scale. We weigh founder–market fit and the team’s ability to learn and adapt heavily — more than current traction or polish.

Question 19

I was not selected. Can I apply again?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of the founders we eventually back applied more than once. We recommend waiting at least one cohort and applying again when you have meaningful new evidence — a sharper insight, a built product, a first paying customer, or a stronger team.

Question 20

Will I receive feedback if I am not selected?

Accepted Answer

Founders who reach the interview stage receive structured written feedback. Earlier-stage rejections receive a brief note with the primary reasons. We treat every application as a relationship, not a transaction.

Question 21

What does a typical week look like inside the program?

Accepted Answer

Plan for 6 to 10 hours of structured program time per week — a workshop or peer session, a one-on-one with your operating partner, a focused mentor meeting, and a short milestone review. The rest of the week is yours to ship.

Question 22

Who are the mentors?

Accepted Answer

A curated bench of operators, founders, and investors who have built and scaled companies in Africa and globally. Mentors are matched to each team based on stage, sector, and current bottleneck — not assigned at random.

Question 23

Will I have access to a dedicated advisor throughout the program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every team is paired with a lead operating partner from our team who stays with you for the duration of the program — running weekly one-on-ones, helping prioritize, and unlocking introductions across our network.

Question 24

What resources do I have access to during the program?

Accepted Answer

Workshops, mentor and operator time, tooling credits (cloud, design, productivity), legal and accounting support, hiring help, and curated introductions to potential customers, partners, and investors across the Al Mada ecosystem.

Question 25

Is there an office or physical space I can use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Founders in the program have access to dedicated working space in Casablanca during the in-person intensives, and to partner co-working locations across key African cities throughout the cohort.

Question 26

What is Positive Link?

Accepted Answer

Positive Link is our alumni and operator network. Every founder who completes a program joins Positive Link for life — a private community of peers, mentors, capital partners, and policymakers committed to building lasting industries across Africa.

Question 27

Who can join Positive Link?

Accepted Answer

Founders who complete a Startup Accelerator program join automatically. We also extend selective invitations to seasoned operators, investors, and ecosystem builders whose work compounds with that of our founders.

Question 28

What does being in the Positive Link network mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

Continued one-on-one access to operating partners, peer-to-peer roundtables, a curated deal-flow and hiring board, invitations to closed-door events with industry leaders, and follow-on capital introductions when your company is ready for the next stage.

Question 29

Is joining Positive Link automatic after completing the program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every founder who completes a cohort is onboarded into Positive Link in the weeks following demo day, at no cost and with no time limit on membership.

Question 30

How long does it take to get a response after applying to Positive Link?

Accepted Answer

External Positive Link applications (operators, investors, ecosystem partners) are reviewed in batches. Expect a first response within three to four weeks of submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Program

Eligibility & Application

Selection Process

During the Program

Positive Link

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