216 Capital and Plug and Play Africa have partnered to launch the 216 Capital Venture Accelerator. This is a six-month program whose aim is to help Tunisian startups become investment-ready and scale to regional and global markets.
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This accelerator plans to support up to 20 tech startups that are in the pre-seed stage. Each startup is set to receive €50,000 in initial funding, as well as personalized mentorship, investor access and business development support. Applications are open until October 31, 2025.
“This program marks an important milestone for the Tunisian ecosystem. By joining forces with Plug and Play, we are giving local founders the tools to structure their businesses, raise capital, and access international markets,” said Dhekra Khelifi, Partner at 216 Capital.
Through the program, startups will receive one-on-one mentoring from international venture capitalists and industry experts, as well as exposure to Plug and Play’s global network of investors, mentors, and corporate partners.
Each participating startup will benefit from the following
- €50,000 in initial funding and potential for follow-on investment.
- Over 500 one-on-one mentoring sessions.
- More than 30 direct investor meetings and 20 group sessions.
- Access to over 15 regional investment funds.
According to Yves Cabanac, Managing Director for France, Benelux, and Africa at Plug and Play, the collaboration aims to unlock Tunisia’s potential as a regional innovation powerhouse.
“Tunisia has already proven its ability to produce globally relevant innovations. With this program, we aim to accelerate that momentum by identifying high-potential startups, aligning them with global standards, and channeling new investment flows into the country,” said Cabanac.
Who Can Apply
To qualify, startups must:
- Be at the pre-seed stage with at least 50% of their team based in Tunisia.
- Be legally registered in Tunisia.
- Have MVP ready or at least a functional prototype.
Preference will be given to startups that already have an MVP in the market or have shown early traction.
The program emphasizes on long-term scalability and global exposure besides the funding. Startups will gain access to Plug and Play’s international ecosystem. This should help open doors to partnerships and new markets across Africa, MENA and beyond.
For more details and to apply, you can visit 216 Capital’s website or follow 216 Capital on LinkedIn.
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