East African accelerator SPRING has opened applications to its third cohort, looking for established businesses across all sectors addressing the needs of adolescent girls.
Disrupt Africa reported in 2015, SPRING launches its inaugural programme, focused on supporting startups improving the lives of adolescent girls living in poverty. 18 startups were selected to join the first cohort, receiving an average of US$80,000 each. A second programme was conducted in Asia.
SPRING is now returning to East Africa, inviting applications from established and ambitious companies from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Up to 20 startups will be selected to join the third cohort.
Applicants can be active in any sector, and must address market opportunities and unmet needs for adolescent girls through the use of human-centred design.
The programme will run for nine months, from May 2017 to January 2018.
SPRING said it focuses on solutions for girls, as they have a unique role as agents of change within communities, when given the right support and tools. As such, the organisation encourages businesses to innovate around the unmet needs of girls.
“Businesses can fulfil the needs of girls by creating products or services that empower or enable girls to flourish. In turn, businesses create new market opportunities that lead to sustainable progress and change for communities,” SPRING said.
Applications are open here, until December 1.
