Recruitment Notice for African Accelerators (South Africa, Egypt) for 2025 GMEP(Global Market Expansion Program)

The Global Market Expansion Program (GMEP) aims to support Korean startups in their efforts to enter global markets and secure international funding. This program's implementing institution is KISED, The Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development. The Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF) intends to support this program and aims to participate as one of the management agencies. KAF is announcing the recruitment of non-Korean African accelerators based in South Africa and Egypt to operate this program. These accelerators will play a crucial role in facilitating the entry of Korean startups into African markets. We invite interested and qualified accelerators to apply and contribute to the success of this initiative.

1. Purpose of Recruitment
To select non-Korean accelerators based in South Africa and Egypt who will implement the GMEP for the African region.

*Please note that both KAF and the selected accelerators will jointly apply for the GMEP. However, final selection will be determined through an evaluation process, and there is a possibility of disqualification based on the assessment results.

2. Application Period: 3 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025 * extended to February 27

3. Application Method: Submit a program proposal in WORD format to ecd@k-af.or.kr

4. Target Accelerators: 1 accelerator in South Africa,  1 accelerator in Egypt

5. Sector Focus/Number of Startups to be Incubated

•  - South Africa: Renewable Energy/7 startups

•  - Egypt: Aging Tech/8 startups

•  *Note: The number of startups to be incubated by each accelerator is subject to change based on the startup recruitment results.

6. Selection Process and Evaluation Method: Document Screening → Final Selection

*Result Announcement: 24 Feb, 2025 (KST)

7. Budget Allocation: Approximately KRW 19,000,000 per startup

8. Operation Period: March 2025 - November 2025 (planned)

9. Key Responsibilities of the Accelerators:

•  - Identifying and selecting startups

•  - Planning and operating domestic programs(two-week duration)

•  - Planning and operating local programs(four-week duration)

•  - Providing support and guidance to startups

•  - Promoting the program

•  - Reporting results

10. Eligibility and Requirements

 1) Applicant Eligibility:

•   - Accelerators with business registration in the designated region (South Africa or Egypt)

•   - Capable of planning, organizing, and operating both domestic and on-site programs in collaboration with interdepartmental management agencies

 2) Application Requirements:

•   - Demonstrated experience and achievements in inbound/outbound acceleration operations

  •   - Must have supported global expansion efforts for startups from various countries within the past three years (2022-2024)

•   - Must have an established, dedicated team or department within the applying accelerator for project execution

•   - Deployment of at least two dedicated personnel during the agreement period

  •   - Personnel must be exclusively dedicated to this project with 100% participation. Participation in other projects is not permitted.

  •   - Personnel should have a minimum of three years’ experience in the startup sector or a related field, with a strong understanding of business planning and management.

 3) Key Roles of Dedicated Personnel:

1.   - Managing startup support (announcing program details, operating the program, monitoring progress and achievements, addressing challenges, etc.)

2.   - Communicating with KAF officials

 4) On-Site Program Requirements:

•   - Provide support for startups’ local business needs, including office space (workspaces, meeting rooms, etc.) and other related facilities

•   - If startups require local office space (e.g., shared offices) to meet program objectives, support must be provided within the agreement period

We look forward to receiving applications from qualified accelerators eager to support Korean startups' expansion into the African market. Thank you for your interest and participation.