Grace Ashiru
Qualcomm has officially opened applications for its latest ‘Make in Africa’ Startup Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to support early-stage African startups leveraging advanced connectivity and processing technologies.
The equity-free program, a key component of Qualcomm’s African Innovation Platform, provides selected startups with business coaching, engineering consultation for product development, and intellectual property (IP) protection guidance.
Successful applicants will gain direct access to Qualcomm engineers and business mentors. Applications are open until February 16, with the program set to run from April to December 2025.
Qualcomm’s mentorship program highlights the increasing demand for deep-tech innovation in Africa. As more startups venture into hardware, IoT, AI, and 5G applications, access to technical expertise and IP protection has become essential.
Africa’s hardware and semiconductor ecosystem remains underdeveloped, with most startups primarily focused on software-driven solutions. Qualcomm’s initiative seeks to close this gap by nurturing local talent in connectivity and processing technologies.
By offering mentorship without equity commitments, Qualcomm positions itself as a strategic enabler of Africa’s tech-driven future—potentially laying the groundwork for deeper investment in the continent’s growing tech infrastructure.
