Incubation call for application

Background to the incubation program

The NM-AIST incubation program is a structured process designed to support the development and growth of innovative start-ups and early-stage businesses. It provides entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and guidance to help them refine their business ideas, develop prototypes, and create viable business plans. The program typically offers a supportive environment where participants will access networking opportunities, assistance with securing funding, and expert advice to accelerate their ventures.

Timeline and Structure

The period before the official start of the incubation program (Pre-incubation) lasts for 3 months, while the program itself extends over 6 months. Throughout this time, participants will take part in mentoring and training sessions aimed at refining their ideas, building prototypes, crafting solid business plans and advancing for acceleration of ideas to commercialization. These sessions serve as invaluable opportunities for guidance, support, and knowledge exchange, ensuring that innovators receive ongoing assistance and feedback to enrich their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Benefits of the Program

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to seize the following benefits;

Coaching, Training and Mentorship: Participants will benefit from regular coaching, training and mentoring sessions with experienced mentors, providing them with valuable insights and guidance to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Business Development Services: The program will offer access to essential business tools and resources to help participants refine their prototypes, develop robust business plans, and gain valuable market insights.

Networking with Investors and Partners: The incubation program will provide a platform for accessing potential investors, partners, and industry experts, providing participants with opportunities to secure funding, form strategic partnerships, and gain valuable exposure for their ventures.

Space: The incubation centre will provide pre-incubation common working spaces, incubation individual offices and access to the meeting room.

Requirements for Participation Duration

• The incubation program will run for three months.

Participant Eligibility:

• Must have completed their studies or in their final year at the School of COCSE.
• Should present a prototype of their idea that can be:
  • Scalable: Capable of growth and adaptability to larger markets.
  • Commercialize: Ready or near-ready for market entry.
• Open to individuals from any African country.
• Participants should commit to patenting their innovation by the end of the program.

Potential innovators must submit a fully filled-in application form to indicate a proposal, including an attachment of the project plan, milestones, resource requirements, a business plan covering technical aspects, market strategy, financial projections, and an elaboration of the potential for sustainable growth and value creation and any other relevant information, for a specific program applied for.

All form submissions shall be directed to incubation@nm-aist.ac.tz or online applications here