On 5 March, Code Management Group (CMG), an investment management group that empowers start-ups with hands-on support, network development and capital, in partnership with the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), will host a four-month business incubator for start-up businesses in Ghana and Nigeria. The inaugural incubator will start in Accra, Ghana in Q1 then Lagos, Nigeria in Q3.
At the end, participants will be able to pitch to investors for funding.
Since 2018, CMG’s leadership has been travelling to Ghana, on trips dubbed discovery tours, in efforts to learn the market. Connecting with creatives and industry leaders, the group took a social research approach to deeply understand the needs of businesses in Ghana. Adding value is a priority. CMG’s solutions were born out of years of social listening and research.
They learned some of the biggest gaps involved lack of funding, intellectual property protection and business education. The incubator was chosen as the first of many solutions for the Ghanaian market.
Deemed the world’s second-fastest-growing region by global economic experts, Africa experienced 4.6 percent average annual Gross Domestic Product growth from 2000 to 2016.
This extensive economic backdrop has been a crucial driver of Africa’s venture capital industry, creating a favourable economic environment to catalyse innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
The inaugural Incubator will be 16 weeks with diverse modules led by successful international business leaders and professors from across Africa.
“CODE is committed to preparing African start-ups for investment. We see solutions to local problems as global opportunities,” shared Fabian Thorpe, financier and CEO of Code Management Group.
The CMG has a keen interest in building African business ecosystems. The group has offices in London, Accra and Lagos and has begun the year by hosting growth-focused event activations.
“CEIBS is happy to partner Code Management in this important intervention to fill the start-up investment gap in Africa. I believe strongly that the program will help participants build more robust businesses to attract the right investments and partnerships. I encourage any entrepreneur seeking to be successful to seriously consider joining the program,” shared CEIBS Marketing, Communications and Alumni Relations Manager, Samuel Ocloo-Dzaba.
Incubator participants must apply and qualify in order to join the incubator. Start-up Qualifications include:
- Actively in the market (18 months to 3 years)
- Have a Minimum Viable Product, MVP to Growth with a sustainable pipeline to customers
- Possible company valuation – 50,000 GHC
- Ready to grow personally and accelerate your business
- Want to build a business you can sell
About Code Management Group
Code Management Group limited is an investment management firm headquartered in London, UK, with offices in Lagos and Accra. The Code Africa Fund is a family fund that connects investors to mission-driven start-ups that have a focus to transform Africa’s challenges into global business opportunities.