ACCELERATION PROGRAM
The primary objective of the NINJA Accelerator Program is to equip early-stage startups with the necessary skills, resources, and networks to become “Corporate Ready.”
This entails preparing them for strategic collaborations with corporations and enterprise clients, thereby enhancing their growth prospects and increasing their attractiveness to potential investors. If you are a founder, this program will help:
NEC
This program is a unique opportunity to test strategic fit with NEC Corporation’s majority-owned South African entity NEC XON and explore commercial partnership potential!
Gain access to NEC XON’s knowledge, expertise, customers, and network, and you might be able to secure your next strategic partner or enterprise client! For more information about NEC in Africa: https://www.nec.africa/about-us.html
COLLABORATION READINESS:
The program aims to make statups “Corporate Ready” and corporations more accessible and “Startup Ready” by enabling them to effectively engage with each other and derive strategic returns from various forms of collaboration. By facilitating simulations, product / service testing, market insights, and proof-of-concepts (PoCs), the program seeks to accelerate the building of a mutually beneficial relationships between companies and South African startups
JAPAN ROADSHOW:
Founders get a chance to showcase their startup at high-profile local and international startup-related events as part of a “JICA Delegation” (arranged by JICA), and gain visibility among potential partners, investors, and customers, opening new avenues for growth and expansion. Participation in the roadshow will be determined based on program participation, engagement, and commitment by the founder(s) (details to come*)
PROOF-OF-CONCEPT:
A key component of the program involves conducting PoCs to test collaborations and assess the strategic fit between selected partner companies and South African startups. These PoCs serve as a means to validate the viability and potential impact of proposed partnerships, thereby laying the foundation for future collaboration and investment opportunities.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
KICK-OFF EVENT
A half-day event for involved stakeholders with a presentation of the new cohort, project partners and mentors/experts.
TWO-WAY BOOTCAMP
A bootcamp session designed for both the corporations and the startups. Get to know how to work with each other to uncover synergies.
POC DESIGN SESSIONS
Sessions decided to facilitate the design and implementation of Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects between startups and corporate partners. Monitoring the progress of PoCs on both sides will happen via weekly check-ins
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS/
MENTORING SESSIONS
Founders will receive weekly individual mentoring sessions to
track progress and get guidance and support as needed.
JAPAN ROADSHOW
A 1-week experience in Tokyo filled with 1-on-1 meetings with
relevant partners and investors, and unique ecosystem experiences
DEMO DAY SHOWCASE
An external pitching event for potential investors and strategic
partners, media and key stakeholders to not only pitch but
showcase your PoC with our corporate partner.