Ampion Programs 2015 will develop tech solutions for democratic participation and financial inclusion:
Application deadline for 7-day Venture Bus program in West Africa on July 31
Participants will develop startups in the fields of fin-tech and governance
Ampion & partners launch 6 months incubation program for best business model
July 16, 2015 Ampion announced partnerships with Transparency International, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and leading financial institutions in West Africa. These partnerships will span across two major projects: The Ampion Venture Bus West Africa, running from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23, 2015 and the Ampion Fellowship, a startup incubation program to be launched and ran in West Africa from October 2015 until March 2016.
Transparency International (TI) Regional Coordinator West Africa, Samuel Kaninda: “The Ampion West Africa Venture Bus provides TI with a unique opportunity to reach out to a diverse group of entrepreneurs and engage them on matter related to business and financial integrity.”
Venture Bus: 10 tech startups tackle democratic participation and financial inclusion
The Ampion Venture Bus West Africa 2015 will kick off on Sept. 17 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast at the brand new fablab Baby Lab. The Venture Bus program will bring 45 talented entrepreneur to tech startup communities in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Together with Ampion’s partners, startups on the bus will develop innovative solutions in the fields of fin-tech and governance.
The Venture Bus is destined for Lagos, Nigeria where it coincides with Africa’s largest pitching competition, DEMO Africa on Sept. 23. At the Venture Bus Grand Final in Lagos, the startups developed on the Venture Bus will pitch their businesses to a renowned jury of company representatives and investors.
Ampion CEO Fabian Carlos Guhl: “After our successful cooperation with German pharmaceutical company Merck in East Africa, we are delighted to have found strong partners for our programs in West Africa as well. The implementation of the Ampion Fellowship will further increase the chances of startups developed in our programs to have social and economic impact.”
Entrepreneurs can apply for the Ampion program until July 31st, 2015. Anyone with a proven knowledge in either business, coding, design or policy making is eligible: www.ampion.org/#!apply-2015/c2075.
Ampion Fellowship: Incubating the most promising startup
The best startups emerging from the Venture Bus West Africa will have the chance to apply for the Ampion Fellowship West Africa 2015/2016. The Fellowship is a 6 months incubation program starting in October 2015. It offers a grant, free office space and free, regular one-on-one mentoring. The Ampion Fellows will fly to a kick-off event in Berlin, Germany, to meet investors and to refine their business model. No equity will be taken in the Ampion Fellowship. The program is launched in cooperation with OSIWA.
About Ampion
Ampion is the leading pan-African entrepreneurship initiative to enable young Africans to start ICT companies creating considerable social and economic impact. AMPION organizes 7-day Venture Bus programs accompanies by international mentors and followed by an extensive incubation program. Ampion is winner of the ‘Global Innovation Ecosystem Award 2015’ as well as the ‘Pan African Awards for Entrepreneurship in Education 2014’. Corporate supports of the Ampion programs are and have been, among others, Microsoft, SAP, MTN and Merck. www.ampion.org.
About Transparency International
In 1993, a few individuals decided to take a stance against corruption and created Transparency International (TI). Now present in more than 100 countries, the movement works relentlessly to stir the world’s collective conscience and bring about change. From villages in rural India to the corridors of power in Brussels, TI gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruptions. TI works together governments, businesses and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery and secret deals. www.transparency.org.
About OSIWA
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa is active in 10 countries in the regions ( Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone) and focuses on law, justice and human right, and economic and political governance. The initiative pursues the development of open society by supporting and building partnerships with local and regional groups that promote inclusive democratic governance, transparency and accountability and active citizenship. www.opensocietyfoundations.org.