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AU-Startups
Focus area • 04

From research to venture — with African IP.

Africa’s universities and research institutions produce work of real commercial potential, but too little of it reaches founders. Our innovation program bridges labs, research offices, and founders to move frontier ideas toward product.

What we run

Tech-transfer fellowships — placements that embed founders and operators inside African research institutions.

Innovation briefings — quarterly briefs spotlighting African research with founder-relevant commercial pathways.

Frontier cohorts — small, high-touch cohorts for founders working on deep-tech, climate, and health challenges.

Why it matters

The ventures that define the next era of African innovation will not all be payments apps or marketplaces. Clean energy, agritech, biotech, and AI all require deeper research-to-venture plumbing than currently exists — and an explicit commitment to keeping IP and equity on the continent.

How to engage

Researchers with commercialisable work: the briefings process is open.

Universities and tech-transfer offices: we can help you stand up or strengthen a pipeline.

Funders with a deep-tech or frontier focus: partner with us on cohort design and delivery.