The Mchu Incubator is now accepting applications from early-stage, Ethiopia-based startups developing innovative, market-ready solutions for people with disabilities (PWD).
The program offers a full pipeline of support, from idea refinement to market launch through a 3-day Idea Camp Hackathon followed by a 3-month intensive incubation program. Participants receive tailored business development, hands-on prototyping support, strategic mentorship, expert advisory sessions, and exposure to investors and partners.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be Ethiopia-based entrepreneurs actively developing innovations that address the needs of people with disabilities.
- Have knowledge of disability-related challenges, relevant markets, and user trends.
- Be available to attend in-person sessions 2–4 hours per week throughout the incubation period.
- Be comfortable working and pitching in English.
- Apply as individuals or teams (preference given to teams with women founders or female team members).
Program Benefits
- 15 shortlisted startups refine their ideas through design thinking, rapid prototyping, and pitch practice.
- The top 6 finalists advance to the incubation program.
- Three-Month Intensive Incubation
- Entrepreneurship workshops and structured bootcamps.
- Bi-weekly one-to-one mentorship with experts, practitioners, and researchers.
- Technical advisory sessions on product development, branding, marketing, customer discovery, pricing, operations, financial modelling, and partner alignment.
- Hands-on prototyping and product testing support.
- Market Access & Visibility
