TheGiga Accelerator, part of the global Giga initiative anchored at the Giga Technology Centre in Barcelona, has officially opened applications for its latest cohort, targeting African startups building scalable, open-source digital infrastructure solutions to expand school connectivity.
Backed by the Government of Spain, the Regional Government of Catalonia, and the City of Barcelona, the programme is delivered in partnership with global innovation platform Plug and Play. The initiative will support a cohort of 12 growth-stage startups with proven solutions on expanding Internet access in rural and underserved regions.
Each selected participant will receive up to $50 000 in non-dilutive grant funding alongside mentorship, technical guidance, and access to Giga’s global partner network. Plug and Play will oversee the delivery of the programme, including tailored curriculum development, expert-led workshops, and one-on-one mentorships focused on breaking-down real-world implementation barriers.
The initiative will be hosted virtually, culminating in a community and demo day at the Giga Technology Centre in Barcelona in March 2026. Additionally, top-performing teams will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions at Mobile World Congress 2026, offering unmatched global visibility.
“Digital solutions can be a game-changer, with the potential to accelerate progress across every aspect of social and economic development,” said Alex Wong, Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary-General and Giga Co-Lead. “To that end, the Giga Accelerator Programme is designed to extend connectivity where it is needed most by helping growth-stage organizations maximise the reach of their digital products and tools.”
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the accelerator, interested startups must meet the following criteria:
Legal registration - Applicants must be legally registered entities in one of theITU Member States, which include countries across Africa such as South Africa, Angola, Botswana, the DRC, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Compliance – Applicants must confirm in writing that neither the entity nor its owners are subject to any major ongoing litigation related to prohibited practices as defined by ITU.
Financial stability – Proof of financial solvency is required to demonstrate that the startup will remain operational for at least the next 12 months.
Stage of development – Solutions must have reached a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4, which means they must be at least in the proof-of-concept or prototype phase.
Open-source commitment – The core solution must already be open-source or the applicant must commit to an open-source contribution model before completing the programme.
Key Innovation Areas Targeted by the Giga Accelerator
The Giga Accelerator focuses on five key areas critical to improving digital connectivity in underserved areas:
Connecting Communities in Infrastructure-Constrained Environments – Solutions that deliver connectivity in areas lacking traditional infrastructure, using alternative network designs or architectures.
Affordable and Sustainable Business Models & Financing Mechanisms – New business models and pricing strategies that ensure commercial viability while keeping connectivity affordable.
Viable Internet Provision for Underserved Areas – Scalable, community-level connectivity solutions, especially suited for rural and peri-urban areas with low population density.
Optimising Internet Provision for the Underserved Areas Context – Solutions leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver adaptable, high-performance, easy-to-deploy solutions tailored for underserved markets.
Reducing Operational Barriers for Connectivity Providers – Solutions that lower the operational complexity, cost and technical skill required to implement and maintain Internet connectivity in challenging environments.
Why African Startups Should Join the Giga Accelerator
With Internet penetration challenges still a significant hurdle across Africa, the Giga Accelerator presents a unique, equity-free opportunity for African startups to scale proven solutions.
Equity-Free Financing
Each selected venture will receive $50 000 non-dilutive grants tied to clear, jointly defined milestones. This funding can be used to support localisation, testing, regulatory compliance or acquisition of tools necessary for market entry.
Expert-led Education and mentorship
Participants will join a structured online programme combining business strategy with technical insights. Participants will receive one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, covering areas such as fundraising, go-to-market planning, regulatory pathways, and more.
Global Networking
Startups will gain access to Giga’s curated global ecosystem, connecting with mobile network operators, development agencies, policymakers, and technology leaders. These networks will provide invaluable partnership and growth opportunities beyond the duration of the programme.
Matchmaking and Market Visibility
The programme will conclude with an in-person demo day where startups pitch to a select group of global industry stakeholders. Top teams will be invited to present at Mobile World Congress 2026 and the Giga Connectivity Forum, enhancing their visibility to investors and potential customers.
Opportunities for Pilots in Emerging Markets
Participants will receive support to align their solutions with the needs of emerging markets, including collaboration opportunities with local governments and multilateral organisations focused on digital inclusion.
How to Apply for the Giga Accelerator 2025 Cohort
Startups looking to apply, will need to submit the following:
Proof of legal registration and compliance documentation
TRL self-assessment
Open-source commitment documentation
Pitch deck (highly recommended)
The application deadline is 21 September 2025, with the programme set to launch on 10 October 2025.
For African founders building meaningful, scalable connectivity solutions, the Giga Accelerator offers not just funding, but a gateway to global visibility, technical expertise, and high-impact collaboration.
Apply now and become part of a global movement accelerating digital inclusion, one connection at a time.
Lungile is the Digital Editor for Startup.Africa, with a knack for storytelling, technology and innovative ideas. Working with Startup.Africa, she takes simple ideas and turns them into amazing stories.
