The six-week programme will provide structured support to help creative founders
validate their business concepts, develop entrepreneurial capabilities and
prepare for market entry and investment opportunities, says UNDP.
This virtual
incubation initiative forms a key component of UNDP's flagship timbuktoo
platform — a pan-African initiative designed to unlock Africa's innovation
potential by investing in youth-led startups across the continent. As one of
ten sector-focused hubs under the timbuktoo umbrella, the Creative Hub
specifically targets the creative economy, recognising its transformative power
for inclusive growth and cultural preservation, adds UNDP.
"Africa's
creative economy represents one of our continent's greatest untapped
resources," says Lara Rosmarin, Head of Entrepreneur Development at UVU
Accelerate. Despite incredible talent and innovation, African creatives
contribute just 2.9% of global creative exports. "This programme aims to close
that imagination gap by giving early-stage founders the business tools and
connections they need to thrive."
UNDP says the fully
virtual programme will accept 20 to 30 participants from ten African countries:
South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia and Zambia. It is specifically designed for entrepreneurs at the ideation or
early stage who need support transforming creative concepts into viable
businesses.
Participants
will benefit from online Interactive workshops covering entrepreneurial
thinking, market research, solution design, branding, financial literacy,
business modelling and pitching. They will also be supported by mentorship
from industry experts and entrepreneurs, adds the programme.
UNDP says further
benefits of the incubation programme are peer networking with creative founders
from across the continent and a final showcase demo day with exposure to
potential investors and partners.
"In a moment where youth unemployment, digital
exclusion and cultural erasure remain urgent challenges — especially in South
Africa — the creative economy offers a rare convergence of purpose and profit," says Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and
Director of UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub. "When
imagination meets structured support and global market access, we don't just
preserve culture — we export it, scale it and build sustainable economies
around it."
UNDP says the timbuktoo
Creative Hub Ideation Incubation Programme is set to begin in July.
Creative entrepreneurs working in audio-visual, design, music, multimedia and
cultural heritage preservation are encouraged to apply. The programme also
encourages applications from those aged 18 to 35 and women-led ventures.
Applications
will open on Monday, 2 June and close on Friday, 27 June. Interested entrepreneurs
can learn more and apply here.
UNDP concludes that the initiative
is part of UNDP's broader timbuktoo platform to unlock Africa's innovation
potential. The timbuktoo Creative Hub Ideation Incubation Programme is
implemented through contributions from the timbuktoo Creative Hub core
partners, including UNDP,
DEDAT,
UVU Accelerate, the Craft and Design Institute and Snake Nation.
For more information, visit www.undp.org. You can also follow the UNDP on Facebook, X or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor