Renowned innovation hubs Labspace (Nigeria) and Hapaspace (Ghana) launched the Venture Boost Accelerator Program on August 21, 2025, during the conference themed “From Local to Global: Lessons from African Founders.” This conference marks the official launch of their accelerator, aimed at preparing early-stage African startups for global programs like Y Combinator and Techstars.
The Conference for the Venture Boost Accelerator Program is a high-impact event designed to empower African startups for global success. It serves as a stepping stone to launch and raise awareness for the Venture Boost Accelerator Program, educating African startups on preparing for global accelerators, funding, and scaling. The conference also fosters connections between entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and ecosystem players, catalyzing the growth of African startups by exploring these relationships. Delivered through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, it equips African startups and emerging entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to create change in their communities.
A Harvard Business School study found that startups participating in accelerators raise 50% to 170% more capital and demonstrate significantly improved long-term survival and acquisition rates compared to those that do not. The Venture Boost program builds on this evidence to position African startups for success in an increasingly competitive global ecosystem.
This is more than an accelerator program; it is a vision of two cross-border organizations, LabSpace and hapaSpace, with a shared goal of supporting and nurturing startups to do exploits. The program aims to empower early-stage startup founders, young entrepreneurs in Kumasi and Nigeria, and broader regions in Africa, representatives from innovation hubs, development partners, government agencies, and tech communities who are looking to take their startups to the next level, for the journey of Global Acceleration Programs like YC, Techstars, and Founder Institute with the skills and resources to scale and be investor-ready.
VentureBoost Accelerator Program is a capacity development, skills-building program as well as an incubation for startups. The program offers opportunities for startups at the initial stage of their business journey and existing startups with the goal of scaling. The training is also beneficial to emerging startups and founders, and other social enterprise intrapreneurs looking to deepen their experience with new skills and competencies that help increase productivity and impact. We recognize the imminent need to upskill within the sector and equip founders with cutting-edge tools, knowledge, and resources to meet the emerging challenges and demands of the sector in Africa.
Certificate of Recognition
The intense training will be delivered through deep learning sessions for 3 months as well as mentorship. Every participant who successfully enrolls and meets the requirements of the training will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition/Accomplishment attesting to the skills and competencies received in the training. Successful participants will also be recommended to top-level global accelerator programs like YC, Techstars, and Founder Institute. The event is open to early-stage founders, investors, innovation leaders, and ecosystem partners from across Africa and the diaspora. Registration in each session is limited to 20 people
Target Audience
- Early-stage startup founders in Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, and broader regions).
- Investors, mentors, and representatives from innovation hubs.
- Development partners, government agencies, and tech communities.
About Labspace
Labspace is a women-led technology and innovation hub in Nigeria with years of experience in building capacity, solutions, and developing products mainly around improving the educational sector. They aim to inspire and support vibrant talents passionate about improving society with their solutions.
About Hapaspace
Hapaspace is a leading innovation hub based in Ghana. It was founded as part of the response to assist young adults in the city of Kumasi to build start-ups, develop skills in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and Maths). They aim to enable start-ups with technology.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
