Open Startup Launches Third Cohort of GROW Program to Help African Startups Scale and Fundraise

TUNIS, Tunisia, 23rd October 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Open Startup (OST) announces the launch of GROW 3.0, the third cohort of its flagship Investment Readiness Program designed to empower advanced African startups to scale their businesses and secure funding.

Now in its third cohort, GROW reflects continuous learning and iteration. With each edition, OST has refined its model to deliver a more hands-on, tailored, and practical investment-readiness experience that directly addresses founders’ go-to-market, fundraising, and growth challenges.

GROW 3.0 continues to build a stronger pipeline of investor-ready African startups, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and global connections needed to scale confidently and secure funding.

Building on the success of previous cohorts, supporting 32 startups across 13 industries in 10 countries, with $10.7M+ raised to date and $12M+ in accumulated revenues, GROW continues to accelerate Africa’s most ambitious entrepreneurs on their journey toward sustainable growth and global exposure.

Now in its third cohort, GROW reflects continuous learning and iteration. With each edition, OST has refined its model to deliver a more hands-on, tailored investment-readiness experience that addresses founders’ go-to-market, fundraising, and growth challenges. Startups are supported through structured mentorship and biweekly office hours, curated investor matchmaking, international-exposure fellowships, and access-to-talent placements. In GROW 2.0, this support was delivered at scale—106 mentorship sessions, 31 targeted training sessions, 75+ investor meetings, 4 VC clinics, engagement of 40+ experts, 18 international-exposure fellowships, and 13 access-to-talent fellowships. Building on these learnings, GROW 3.0 is even more hands-on and tailored, equipping startups with the tools, mentorship, and global connections to scale confidently and secure funding.

About the GROW Program

GROW is a 12-month program supporting African Startups in their investment readiness and their capacity to scale, sell and fundraise.

Developed in collaboration with AfricaGrow, Africinvest Group, BPI France, and Go Ventures, the program provides founders with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to expand into new markets and achieve their growth goals.

Program Benefits

In-person bootcamp focused on investment readiness, with practical clinics on data rooms, metrics, and investor storytelling.
Investor access via curated introductions, pitch reviews, and deal-readiness support.
Global exposure through international immersions and fellowships across leading startup ecosystems.
Talent support to help hire key roles, backed by targeted stipends and expert referrals.
Hands-on program support for go-to-market, partnerships, and market entry throughout the 12-month journey.
Tailored training blending business strategy, product, growth, and fundraising, led by international experts.
Personalized mentorship matched to stage and needs, with structured milestones and actionable feedback.
Community & network integration into OST’s pan-African founders, mentors, and ecosystem partners across Africa and beyond.

Eligibility

Seed-stage startup operational for less than 4 years.
2–4 co-founders, with at least one African co-founder.
Operating in or impacting Africa, with a strong team and proven execution capacity.
Raised up to $350K USD.

Apply Now

Applications for GROW 3.0 are now open. Interested startups can apply via this [link] before November 2nd, 2025.

Disclaimer:

Startups selected as finalists will be asked to allocate a symbolic 1% equity to Open Startup (OST) to support the long-term sustainability and growth of the program across Africa.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Open Startup (OST)

About Open Startup (OST)

Open Startup (OST) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering innovation and capacity building through entrepreneurship, education, and cross-cultural exchange. By building vibrant communities and connecting ecosystems across Africa and beyond, OST is at the forefront of driving entrepreneurial success on the continent.

Media Contact:

For more information, please contact:

grow@open-startup.org | achref.mattar@open-startup.org