CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2026

 Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2026: A Game Changer for African Tech Founders

Africa’s startup ecosystem just got a major boost. Qualcomm, a global leader in connectivity and computing technologies, has opened applications for its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2026 — a unique opportunity designed to help early-stage African startups scale without giving up equity. 

This initiative is about more than just funding — it’s about empowering founders with expert knowledge, hands-on mentorship, financial support, patent assistance, and international visibility to accelerate innovation across the continent.

🎯 What Is the Qualcomm Make in Africa Program?

The Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program is a mentorship and acceleration initiative that supports early-stage tech startups based in Africa. It focuses on ventures building advanced technology solutions using areas like AI, 5G, IoT, edge computing, XR, and other cutting-edge systems. 

Best of all — participation is equity-free. Qualcomm does not take ownership in the startups it supports, which means founders retain full control of their companies while benefiting from world-class support. 

💡 Key Benefits for Startups

Here’s what selected startups can expect:

🤝 1:1 Mentorship from Qualcomm Experts

Startups receive personalised guidance from Qualcomm engineers, product strategists, and industry experts to refine product roadmaps, technical design, and go-to-market strategies. 

🎓 Technical & Business Masterclasses

Participants gain access to training sessions covering:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)

Internet of Things (IoT)

Extended Reality (XR)

Advanced compute & 5G

Product management and investor pitching

Intellectual Property (IP) strategy and protection 

💰 $5,000 Completion Stipend

Startups that successfully complete the program requirements are eligible for a USD $5,000 stipend, providing founders with flexible funds to invest back into their ventures. 

📄 Patent Filing Support

The program offers financial support and guidance around intellectual property protection:

Up to USD $5,000 reimbursement for filing a utility patent locally, at the USPTO, or via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Access to IP consultation sessions and educational resources. 

Opportunity For Africa

📣 Networking & Visibility

Participants get a chance to showcase their solutions at a virtual finale event in December 2026, where investors, ecosystem partners, and collaborators will be in attendance — a perfect platform to build valuable connections. 

Additionally, one standout startup will receive a Social Impact Fund award through Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach initiative. 

Opportunity For Africa

📌 Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for early-stage startups that:

- Are registered and operating in Africa. 

- Are in the pre-seed to seed stage with a minimum viable product or clear technical roadmap. 

- Build solutions with advanced technology or hardware-enabled systems like AI, connectivity, embedded computing, IoT, or XR. 

Opportunity For Africa

There’s no application fee and no equity taken — meaning this is a rare opportunity for founders to grow without giving up ownership. 

🗓 Timeline & Application Info

Applications Open: December 17, 2025 

Deadline: February 15, 2026

Mentorship Program: April to November 2026 

Virtual Finale & Demo Day: December 2026

If you’re an African founder building innovative tech, this initiative could be a transformative step in your startup journey — offering funding, knowledge, and connections that are often hard to access on the continent.

👉 Start preparing your application today!

Apply using the link below 👇🏼 

APPLY HERE!