500 Global’s Pre-Acceleration Academy is an immersive 5-day bootcamp. Based in Nairobi, this bootcamp is part of UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative, and is designed for founders at the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey, looking to gain the foundational knowledge and tools to take their startup to the next level!
Priority deadline: August 29, 2025
Applications received by the priority deadline will initiate an earlier start of the review process.
Application period closes on September 19, 2025.
Take the first step!
Join the 500 Global team for the Pre-Acceleration Academy in Nairobi. As part of UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative, this immersive 5-day bootcamp is designed for early stage founders to learn fundamentals of business growth, from defining your ideal customer profile to strategies that support converting your initial customers.
Born in Silicon Valley, but with a track record of supporting more than 3,000 startups and 6,000 founders globally, from pre-seed to IPO, and boasting a team of 150+ team members across 20 countries, we offer expertise as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators, uniquely supporting founders through every step of their journey. With the Pre-Acceleration Academy, you’ll take the first step toward taking your idea to the next level with the 500 community.
Why 500 Global?
With a proven track record of accelerating startups, 500 Global expanded from it’s roots in Silicon Valley to make its first investment in Africa in 2011. Since then, 500 has invested in and supported 100+ portfolio companies headquartered in Africa, notably backing Chipper Cash, Smile Identity, Stitch, Money Fellows and Asaak.
