Call for Application: Visa Accelerator Program 2024

Unlock your startup’s potential and fast-track your success in the dynamic world of fintech with the Visa Accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative connects Africa’s brightest minds with experienced mentors, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled investment opportunities.

Are you ready to disrupt the industry, revolutionize finance, and make an impact in the ecosystem? Join us on this exciting 3-months journey to propel your startup towards unprecedented growth and recognition. It’s time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and forge a path to success in the vibrant fintech landscape.

Fields Eligible

We are looking for the best and brightest companies to address the following themes. If you believe your company is building solutions in one or more of these areas, you are welcome to apply and join the Visa Accelerator program.

Unlocking new payment flows

Embedded Finance

Empowering merchants and SMEs

Payment Infrastructure Enablers

The Future of finance

Sustainable and Inclusive Finance

About VISA

We’re a trusted network and world leader in digital payments, with a mission to remove barriers and connect more people to the global economy. Because we believe that economies that include everyone, everywhere uplift everyone, everywhere. Our journey begins in 1958, the year that Bank of America launched the first consumer credit card program in the U.S. We expanded internationally in 1974 and introduced the debit card in 1975. In 2007, regional businesses around the world were merged to form Visa Inc. and, in 2008, the company went public in one of the largest IPOs in history.

Visa Accelerator Program

Application Deadline	29 Feb 2024
Type	Entrepreneurs
Sponsor	VISA
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of Visa Accelerator Program

Knowledge and Expertise

Gain a competitive edge with a tailored program covering product design, marketing, finance, sales and more. Receive experts’ guidance and strategic insights to accelerate your startup’s growth and unlock its full potential.

Mentorship

Gain access to 1:1 mentoring from experts and founders in the ecosystem from Africa and beyond. Learn from the experience of others to solve your challenges.

Visa Specific Training

Benefit from exclusive Fintech and payment training modules designed by Visa. Enhance your understanding of the fintech landscape, payment ecosystem, and industry best practices. Startups will also get the chance to access Visa’s developer portal and experiment with Visa products and services.

Funding

Secure the funding you need to bring your innovative ideas to life. Showcase your startup during the Demo Day and you could be considered for an investment opportunity by Visa, Plug and Play, and our wider Venture Capital community.

Partnership Opportunities

Forge powerful partnerships that can drive your startup forward. The program aims to open doors to valuable collaboration opportunities with industry leaders, innovative companies, and strategic partners.

Product Perks

Gain access to a wide selection of product perks and discounts from over 100 vendors for a combined offer value of over $200,000 such as AWS with product credits, mentorship and fintech-specific training modules.

Requirements for Visa Accelerator Program Qualification

If your team has already designed a minimum viable product related to the proposed areas designed a minimum viable product related to the proposed challenges or has a market-ready solution, you are the right fit for the program.

Stage

Seed to Series A startups with at least an MVP

Solution

Building a solution addressing one of our themes

Traction

Market tested solution that has gained traction

Geography

Existing operations in Africa or demonstrated commitment to expand in Africa