Firm launches £5,000 equity-free accelerator to empower young African startup founders

Bridge Seed Global has unveiled a £5,000 equity-free accelerator programme aimed at supporting young African startup founders, marking a new push to strengthen early-stage entrepreneurship across the continent. The three-month accelerator is open to founders between the ages of 18 and 35 and will provide selected startups with £5,000 in non-dilutive funding, alongside structured mentorship, […]

Bridge Seed Global has unveiled a £5,000 equity-free accelerator programme aimed at supporting young African startup founders, marking a new push to strengthen early-stage entrepreneurship across the continent.

The three-month accelerator is open to founders between the ages of 18 and 35 and will provide selected startups with £5,000 in non-dilutive funding, alongside structured mentorship, capacity-building training and direct access to investors. According to the organisers, the first cohort of the programme is scheduled to commence at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Bridge Seed Global was founded by UK-based investor Leandra Mika and its Managing Partner, Ola Josh. The organisation describes the initiative as impact-driven and faith-inspired, with a strong emphasis on building sustainable businesses that deliver both economic and social value.

Speaking on the vision behind the programme, Leandra Mika said the accelerator was designed to empower young founders to see entrepreneurship as more than just profit-making. “We believe entrepreneurs are co-creators with God, using capital, innovation and enterprise as tools to create lasting impact and glorify Him through sustainable businesses,” she said.

Ola Josh added that the accelerator is structured to go beyond funding, focusing on long-term growth and investor readiness. “Early-stage founders often struggle with access — access to capital, guidance and the right networks. This programme is about bridging that gap and positioning African startups for global relevance,” he noted.

Admission into the accelerator is expected to be highly competitive, reflecting growing interest in equity-free funding models across Africa’s startup ecosystem. However, Bridge Seed Global has encouraged all eligible founders with scalable ideas and strong impact potential to apply.

“The programme will culminate in a Demo Day, where participating Startups will pitch their ventures to a curated audience of investors and ecosystem stakeholders, giving selected start-up the opportunity to raise their first round of funds from Accredited Investors and Venture Capital firms.”

With the launch of this accelerator, Bridge Seed Global is positioning itself as a new player in Africa’s innovation space, focusing on youth-led enterprises, values-driven leadership and sustainable economic development.