Open Startup, a Tunisia-based non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering innovation across Africa, has announced that applications are now open for the fifth edition of BRAIN, its flagship accelerator programme designed to empower African deeptech startups to become investment and market-ready.
The programme represents a critical opportunity for science-based ventures working at the intersection of advanced technology and social impact, particularly in the health and climate sectors. Applications for this year’s cohort remain open until November 2, offering African entrepreneurs a limited window to join one of the continent’s most comprehensive deeptech acceleration initiatives.
About Open Startup
Open Startup is a non-governmental organization committed to fostering innovation and capacity building throughout Africa. The organization operates at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, and cross-cultural exchange, creating pathways for African innovators to access the resources, knowledge, and networks necessary for success in global markets.
Through its various programmes and initiatives, Open Startup has established itself as a key player in Africa’s deeptech ecosystem, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and commercial viability while supporting founders working on some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Understanding BRAIN: Bridging Research and Innovation
BRAIN (Bridging Research And INnovation) is a comprehensive 12-month hybrid accelerator programme specifically tailored for deeptech and science-based African startups. Unlike traditional accelerators that focus primarily on software-based businesses, BRAIN specializes in supporting ventures that deploy advanced technologies requiring significant research, development, and capital investment.
Target Sectors and Technologies
The programme focuses on startups operating in two critical sectors:
Health Technology: Ventures developing innovative solutions for healthcare delivery, diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, health data analytics, and other health-related applications leveraging cutting-edge technology.
Climate Technology: Startups addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through clean energy, sustainable agriculture, carbon reduction, environmental monitoring, circular economy solutions, and other climate-focused innovations.
To qualify for BRAIN, startups must be deploying either:
- Advanced AI technologies: Machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, predictive analytics, or other sophisticated artificial intelligence applications
- Complex hardware: Physical devices, equipment, or systems requiring significant engineering, manufacturing capabilities, or scientific validation
This focus on deeptech ensures that BRAIN serves ventures with high potential impact but also high barriers to entry – precisely the types of startups that benefit most from intensive acceleration support.
Programme Structure and Approach
BRAIN’s 12-month hybrid format combines the best of both virtual and in-person engagement, allowing the programme to serve startups across the African continent while providing intensive periods of face-to-face mentorship, workshops, and networking.
The hybrid structure acknowledges the realities of working with geographically dispersed teams across Africa while ensuring that critical relationship-building, technical deep dives, and investor introductions happen through high-impact in-person sessions.
From Lab to Market
A defining characteristic of BRAIN is its focus on bridging the gap between the lab and the markets. Many deeptech ventures emerge from academic research, scientific institutions, or technical laboratories with breakthrough innovations that lack clear pathways to commercialization.
BRAIN addresses this challenge by providing:
- Business model development: Transforming scientific innovations into viable commercial propositions
- Go-to-market strategy: Creating pathways to reach target customers and generate revenue
- Regulatory navigation: Understanding and addressing complex regulatory requirements in health and climate sectors
- Investor readiness: Preparing startups for equity fundraising and due diligence processes
- Technical validation: Supporting product development and proof-of-concept demonstrations
- Manufacturing and scaling: Addressing production challenges for hardware-based ventures
World-Class Partners and Consortium
BRAIN’s effectiveness stems significantly from its collaboration with an impressive consortium of global partners bringing diverse expertise, networks, and resources to participating startups.
Core Development Partners
The programme was developed in collaboration with:
- AfricaGrow: A growth advisory firm focused on supporting African ventures
- AfricInvest Group: One of Africa’s leading investment platforms with over $2 billion in assets under management
- Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF): A development finance initiative supporting sustainable economic development in developing countries
These core partners bring investment expertise, market knowledge, and development finance perspectives that help shape BRAIN’s curriculum and support structure.
Strategic Programme Partners
BRAIN operates in partnership with leading global institutions and corporations:
- Steve Madden: Fashion industry partnership bringing commercial expertise
- Digital Africa: A French Development Agency initiative supporting Africa’s digital ecosystem
- MIT-Africa: Connecting BRAIN participants with Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s innovation ecosystem
- MIT Executive MBA Program: Providing access to world-class business education resources
- Bpifrance: France’s public investment bank supporting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Sanofi: Global pharmaceutical company bringing health sector expertise
- InstaDeep: Pan-African AI company providing technical mentorship in artificial intelligence
This partner network provides BRAIN participants with:
- Access to technical expertise in AI, hardware development, and sector-specific knowledge
- Connections to global markets and distribution channels
- Potential pilot customers and validation opportunities
- Investor introductions and fundraising support
- Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and corporate leaders
Five Years of Impact Across Africa
Since its inception, BRAIN has built an impressive track record supporting deeptech innovation across the African continent. Over the past five years, the programme has:
- Supported more than 40 deeptech startups through its various cohorts
- Reached 10 African countries, demonstrating broad geographic impact across the continent
- Engaged 12 different industries, showcasing the diverse applications of deeptech across sectors
- Built a strong alumni network of founders who continue supporting and learning from each other
This track record demonstrates BRAIN’s ability to identify promising ventures, provide meaningful support, and help startups navigate the challenging journey from scientific innovation to market-ready businesses.
Alumni Success Stories
While specific company details aren’t provided, BRAIN’s alumni network includes ventures that have:
- Successfully raised follow-on funding from investors
- Launched commercial products serving African markets
- Expanded operations across multiple countries
- Created employment opportunities for skilled African talent
- Generated measurable social and environmental impact in their focus areas
The programme’s emphasis on investment readiness and market preparation has helped participating startups attract capital and partnerships necessary for scaling their innovations.
What BRAIN Provides to Participating Startups
Accepted startups receive comprehensive support designed to address the unique challenges of deeptech entrepreneurship:
Technical and Business Mentorship
Founders receive guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and technical experts who understand the complexities of building deeptech ventures. This mentorship covers both the scientific/technical dimensions and the business aspects of startup development.
Educational Programming
Through partnerships with institutions like MIT, BRAIN provides access to cutting-edge educational content covering topics such as:
- Advanced technology development and validation
- Intellectual property strategy
- Regulatory compliance in health and climate sectors
- Financial modeling for capital-intensive businesses
- Team building and organizational development
- Fundraising strategies for deeptech ventures
Network Access
Participants gain entry to an extensive network including:
- Potential investors through AfricInvest and other financial partners
- Corporate partners like Sanofi and InstaDeep for potential collaborations
- Fellow entrepreneurs in the BRAIN alumni network
- International institutions and markets through global partners
Investment Readiness Support
BRAIN prepares startups for fundraising through:
- Business plan refinement and financial projections
- Pitch deck development and presentation coaching
- Introduction to investors seeking African deeptech opportunities
- Due diligence preparation
- Term sheet negotiation guidance
Market Access
The programme helps startups identify and reach target customers through:
- Go-to-market strategy development
- Customer discovery and validation exercises
- Pilot programme opportunities with corporate partners
- Distribution channel identification
- Pricing strategy development
Who Should Apply to BRAIN
The fifth edition of BRAIN is seeking African deeptech startups that meet the following criteria:
Geographic Scope
- Startups must be African-founded or African-based, regardless of the specific country, reflecting the programme’s pan-African mandate
Sector Focus
- Operating in health technology or climate technology sectors
- Addressing significant challenges with scalable solutions
Technology Requirements
- Deploying advanced AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, or predictive analytics, OR
- Developing complex hardware requiring significant engineering, manufacturing, or scientific validation
Stage Requirements
While not explicitly stated, BRAIN typically seeks startups that have:
- Progressed beyond the pure research stage
- Developed proof-of-concept or prototype
- Identified target markets and customers
- Formed a committed founding team
- Demonstrated commitment to commercialization
Founder Characteristics
Ideal candidates are:
- Committed to building sustainable, scalable businesses
- Open to mentorship and willing to learn
- Ready to dedicate significant time to the programme
- Interested in serving African markets while potentially expanding globally
- Mission-driven with focus on social and environmental impact alongside financial returns
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for BRAIN’s fifth edition are open until November 2, providing interested startups with a focused window to submit their applications.
How to Apply
Interested startups can access the application portal through Open Startup’s website. The application process typically requires:
- Detailed information about the founding team and their qualifications
- Description of the technology and its innovative aspects
- Explanation of the problem being solved and target market
- Business model and revenue strategy
- Current stage of development and key milestones achieved
- Financial projections and funding history
- Vision for impact and scale
Selection Process
Following the application deadline, BRAIN’s selection committee – comprising representatives from partner organizations – will evaluate applications based on:
- Technology innovation: Degree of technical advancement and differentiation
- Market opportunity: Size and accessibility of target market
- Team capability: Founders’ ability to execute on their vision
- Impact potential: Social and environmental benefits alongside commercial viability
- Fit with programme: Likelihood of benefiting from BRAIN’s specific resources and network
Selected finalists typically participate in interviews or pitch sessions before final cohort selection is announced.
The Deeptech Opportunity in Africa
BRAIN’s focus on deeptech startups addresses a critical gap in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. While the continent has seen significant growth in digital startups, particularly in fintech and e-commerce, deeptech ventures face unique challenges including:
Capital Intensity
Deeptech startups require substantial capital for research, development, and deployment before generating revenue, making traditional startup funding models challenging.
Long Development Cycles
Complex technologies and hardware products require extended development periods, testing validation processes that exceed typical startup timelines.
Regulatory Complexity
Health and climate technologies often face stringent regulatory requirements requiring specialized expertise to navigate.
Technical Talent Shortages
Advanced AI and complex hardware development require highly specialized skills that may be scarce in some African markets.
Market Education
Innovative technologies may require significant customer education and behavior change, extending sales cycles and increasing go-to-market costs.
BRAIN addresses these challenges by providing extended support over 12 months, connecting startups with patient capital sources familiar with deeptech timelines, and offering specialized mentorship from experts who understand these unique challenges.
Africa’s Deeptech Potential
Despite these challenges, Africa presents enormous opportunities for deeptech innovation:
Healthcare Needs
Africa’s healthcare challenges – from infectious disease management to maternal health to chronic disease prevention – create significant opportunities for innovative health technologies that can improve outcomes while reducing costs.
Climate Vulnerability
As one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Africa needs climate technologies for adaptation, sustainable development, and leapfrogging carbon-intensive development pathways.
Growing Tech Ecosystem
Africa’s expanding technology ecosystem, improving digital infrastructure, and increasing availability of technical talent create favorable conditions for deeptech ventures.
Market Size
With over 1.4 billion people across 54 countries, Africa represents a massive market for solutions that address fundamental needs in health and climate.
Why Tunisia as a Base
Open Startup’s Tunisia base is strategic for supporting pan-African deeptech innovation. Tunisia offers:
- Strong educational institutions producing technical talent
- Growing startup ecosystem with government support for innovation
- Geographic position connecting sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East
- Regulatory environment supportive of technology ventures
- Regional expertise in both African and international markets
From this base, Open Startup can effectively support startups across the continent while maintaining connections to global partners and markets.
Beyond BRAIN: Open Startup’s Broader Impact
While BRAIN represents Open Startup’s flagship programme, the organization’s work extends beyond this single accelerator. Through various initiatives focused on entrepreneurship education, capacity building, and cross-cultural exchange, Open Startup contributes to strengthening Africa’s broader innovation ecosystem.
The organization’s multi-year commitment to deeptech – demonstrated by launching the fifth edition of BRAIN – reflects confidence in African innovation and recognition that sustained, specialized support is necessary to unlock the continent’s deeptech potential.
