This summer, NBA Africa officially unveiled the second edition of its much-anticipated Triple-Double Startup Accelerator — a bold continuation of its commitment to supercharge Africa’s tech ecosystem and uplift the continent’s dynamic entrepreneurs, particularly those operating at the intersection of sports and creativity.
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Nurturing African Innovation—Round Two
Launched successfully in 2024, the Triple-Double Accelerator has rapidly become a formidable platform for young African startups. The league’s intention is clear: to tilt the scales of opportunity and innovation in favour of local ingenuity, elevating businesses with high-growth potential and global relevance.
In the inaugural season, over 700 early-stage African startups vied for a slot. Ten were ultimately hand-picked to pitch at a star-studded Demo Day in New York City. From that competitive cohort emerged four standout winners—Festival Coins and Salubata from Nigeria, HustleSasa from Kenya, and UBR VR from Egypt—who each earned financial backing and mentorship to scale their operations.
What’s New in 2025?
Under the unwavering guidance of ALX Ventures, the programme returns in 2025 with enhancements and a renewed vision. This year’s accelerator is open for applications until Friday, 29 August, via the official portal.
Here’s what to expect:
- Top 10 Shortlist: Organisers will narrow thousands to a cohort of 10, assembling Africa’s most promising talent.
- Intensive 10-Week Mentorship: Startups will be guided by leaders from NBA Africa, ALX Ventures, and their newest official partner, ServiceNow—an AI-powered business transformation platform deploying tools like Now Assist and AI agents.
- Demo Day in December: The top 10 will present to international tech and investment leaders. Five winners—up from four last year—will be awarded a winning package of both capital and mentorship.
The Vision Behind the Program
NBA Africa’s CEO, Clare Akamanzi, reinforces the brand’s optimism: “Last year’s inaugural Triple-Double Accelerator programme showed how much talent, passion and creativity there is among African entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the continent’s rapidly growing sport and entertainment industries. We look forward to reviewing this year’s submissions and to helping another round of promising startups take the next step in their development.”
Adding depth to the programme is ServiceNow, whose AI automation tools are expected to inject new dynamism into the accelerator, preparing startups to deliver smarter, scalable, and faster solutions.
Reflecting on Year One
The debut edition set a formidable benchmark. In addition to the big four winners, six other finalists walked away with seed funding—a testament to NBA Africa’s inclusive model of development.
- Festival Coins (Nigeria): Builder of Tix Africa, a seamless no-code registration and ticketing system for events.
- Salubata (Nigeria): An eco-innovator creating modular shoes from recycled plastic, combining sustainability with sharp design.
- HustleSasa (Kenya): Comprehensive live-event management platform, covering payment processing, merchandising, registration, and more.
- UBR VR (Egypt): Virtual reality experiences bridging culture and immersive tech.
Testament to the programme’s transformative power, startups like HustleSasa have described their participation as a turning point:
“The Accelerator provided more than just funding; it offered the opportunity to connect with some of the continent’s most innovative thinkers… we realised that we’re part of a much larger ecosystem, and no one is building this alone.”
Likewise, Salubata’s Demo Day showcase highlighted not only sustainable manufacturing but also social impact—its modular shoe model incorporates one-size-fits-all soles, drastically lowering energy use, while empowering female waste collectors and reducing carbon emissions. The startup boasted over 6,000 sales and widespread acclaim.
Why This Matters for Nigeria (and Africa)
The Accelerator is more than just a pitch event—it’s an ecosystem builder aimed at unlocking Africa’s future. For Nigeria, Success stories like Festival Coins and Salubata aren’t just corporate wins; they’re symbols of home-grown possibility.
More importantly, the programme’s expansion signals a rising recognition—by global players like NBA Africa, ALX Ventures, and ServiceNow—that tech meets culture uniquely here. African startups are building not just apps, but narratives; they are codifying our realities and ambitions.
What Entrepreneurs Need to Know
If you’re an early-stage startup working in sports tech, creative media, event tech, sustainability, AI, or related fields, here’s a quick checklist:
- Apply Before 29 August.
- Be Prepared for an Intensive 10-Week Development Sprint.
- Expect Hands-on Mentorship from Industrial Heavyweights.
- Gear Up for a December Demo Day with Global Reach.
- Top 5 Stand a Chance to Win Funding & Mentorship.
Conclusion
NBA Africa’s Triple-Double Accelerator is fast becoming a cornerstone in Africa’s innovation narrative. Its second edition promises to be even more impactful, broadening opportunities and deepening support for startups that are reshaping sports, culture, creativity, and tech across the continent.
With the clock ticking down to the deadline, now is the time for bold founders to step forward.
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