Pre-acceleration research report

This report aims to provide insights into the design, performance, and effectiveness of these early-stage entrepreneurial support initiatives. With over 900 entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) in Africa, the study focuses on pre-acceleration as a crucial component of early-stage support. The research analyzes 10 ongoing programs in detail, drawing from a list of 60+ early-stage entities in the most active markets. It highlights key players in African pre-acceleration for 2022/2023, including global programs like Jasiri Talent Investor, Antler Kenya, and Flat6Labs seed programs. The report also identifies successful practices in selection and program implementation, while addressing gaps and barriers such as unclear scope, mismatches with local contexts, lack of qualified staff, and data inconsistencies. By shedding light on these aspects, the report contributes to a more informed and efficient pre-acceleration strategy for Katapult and shares best practices within the ecosystem.