Startups are not like other companies. Many of them are intended to look internationally. In addition, their financing needs are important. Given these specificities that characterize startups, they must benefit from a particular support. This is very different from that proposed by traditional providers. What are the solutions that startups can turn to?

Incubators
Supporting a startup means being able to demonstrate responsiveness. As a rule, young leaders are running out of time. This reality is all the more true as the needs of these startups are constantly evolving. To overcome this problem, many incubators have appeared.

 

These structures are intended to welcome and support young startups in the creative phase or at the start-up stage. The support can take different forms: analysis of the business model established by the startup, physical hosting of employees of the company, exchange of experiences, assistance in finding funding, training of the founders of the startup, access to specific tools as a “creative lab”, access to the mentor’s relational network, etc.

 

In some cases, the incubator can also provide financial support to the startup. This concerns, for example, a patent filing, the taking over of the market study or advances to be repaid. Integrating an incubator allows a startup to be accompanied by different people with different skills. The latter support the startup project because they believe in the ability of the latter to develop in a sustainable manner.

 

You plan to join an incubator. Before submitting your application, take the time to contact the incubator in question so that it validates the feasibility of your project. Indeed, the integration criteria differ according to the incubators.

 

From the moment your project arouses the interest of the incubator, submit your application before presenting the same project to a panel of experts. Some incubators offer start-ups a form of pre-incubation, the aim of which is to enable them to mature their project before integrating an incubator.

Entrepreneur networks
For start-ups, it is advisable to join entrepreneur networks such as REPAF or the Investors and Partners network. Joining this type of structure allows you to meet people with the same background as yours.

 

You benefit from the opportunity to discuss specific topics and gather concrete advice.

Turn to non-founding leaders
It is quite possible for an entrepreneur to benefit from the experience of professionals who have never, themselves, created a business. This type of support allows a startup to benefit from the experience of these people in terms of business and strategic development.

A mentor attached to another sector of activity than that of the startup
In terms of benchmark, it is better to turn to a mentor in the same industry as yours. Nevertheless, relying on a referent whose field of activity is different from the one to which you are attached allows you to benefit from a fresh look at your activity. The main problem for the startup is to find the ideal partners.

 

For a startup, getting along is not easy. Indeed, the founders must be able to convince experienced, educational and competent entrepreneurs to support them in the development of their business.

About The Author

CEO AfrikaTech

Comme beaucoup de personnes j’ai connu l’Afrique à travers des stéréotypes : l’Afrique est pauvre, il y a la guerre, famine… Je suis devenu entrepreneur pour briser ces clichés et participer à la construction du continent. J’ai lancé plusieurs entreprises dont Kareea (Formation et développement web), Tutorys (Plate-forme de e-learning), AfrikanFunding (Plate-forme de crowdfunding). Après un échec sur ma startup Tutorys, à cause d’une mauvaise exécution Business, un manque de réseau, pas de mentor, je suis parti 6 mois en immersion dans l’écosystème Tech au Sénégal. J’ai rencontré de nombreux entrepreneurs passionnés, talentueux et déterminés. A mon retour sur Paris je décide de raconter leur histoire en créant le média AfrikaTech. L'objectif est de soutenir les entrepreneurs qui se battent quotidiennement en Afrique en leur offrant la visibilité, les connaissances, le réseautage et les capitaux nécessaires pour réussir. L'Afrique de demain se construit aujourd'hui ensemble. Rejoignez-nous ! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boubacardiallo

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