Blab Tech
Askya Launches Zero-Equity AI Growth Platform to Fund 10 African Startups
Askya Investment Partners announced on 31 August 2026 the launch of the Askya AI Growth Platform, a pan‑African programme that will provide up to US$200 000 of zero‑equity funding to ten AI‑native startups. The six‑week hybrid programme, run in partnership with innovation advisory firm Magna Collective, is free for participants and does not take equity. The inaugural cohort is honorary chaired by Tosin Eniolorunda, founder and group CEO of Moniepoint, and applications will close on 30 September.
Askya Investment Partners was founded in 2024 by Babacar Seck, a former CEO of Digital Africa and a founding member of Proparco’s pan‑African venture capital programme. Seck has positioned Askya as a vehicle for building a new generation of technology and artificial‑intelligence champions across the continent. The firm’s mission is to help African founders move from product‑market fit to commercial traction, and the AI Growth Platform is the first structured effort to deliver that support.
The programme will bring together ten startups that are AI‑native, Africa‑focused and range from pre‑seed to Series A. Each company must have a live product and demonstrable customer demand. Over six weeks, founders will attend masterclasses, receive one‑to‑one coaching, and access company‑building resources from some of Africa’s most experienced founders and operators. The curriculum covers technology, product, governance and distribution, and participants will also gain access to cloud services, compute resources, customer networks and talent pipelines.
Askya’s funding model is distinct from typical accelerators. While the platform offers up to US$200 000 of zero‑equity investment to each selected startup, it does not require founders to give up ownership. The programme is designed to provide capital, mentorship and market access without diluting equity, allowing founders to keep control as they scale.
The launch event took place at the Deep Learning Indaba 2026, hosted by Pan‑Atlantic University in Lagos. Seck emphasized that AI is becoming a key driver of economic development and that Africa must decide whether to become a producer of AI technology or remain an importer. By backing founders who are building generational AI companies that address Africa’s biggest needs, Askya aims to capture the value created by AI on the continent.
Applications are open until 30 September, and the platform will begin its first cohort in early 2027. The initiative represents a concrete step toward expanding the African AI ecosystem, offering both capital and expertise to startups that have already proven product viability and customer interest.
Askya Investment Partners was founded in 2024 by Babacar Seck, a former CEO of Digital Africa and a founding member of Proparco’s pan‑African venture capital programme. Seck has positioned Askya as a vehicle for building a new generation of technology and artificial‑intelligence champions across the continent. The firm’s mission is to help African founders move from product‑market fit to commercial traction, and the AI Growth Platform is the first structured effort to deliver that support.
The programme will bring together ten startups that are AI‑native, Africa‑focused and range from pre‑seed to Series A. Each company must have a live product and demonstrable customer demand. Over six weeks, founders will attend masterclasses, receive one‑to‑one coaching, and access company‑building resources from some of Africa’s most experienced founders and operators. The curriculum covers technology, product, governance and distribution, and participants will also gain access to cloud services, compute resources, customer networks and talent pipelines.
Askya’s funding model is distinct from typical accelerators. While the platform offers up to US$200 000 of zero‑equity investment to each selected startup, it does not require founders to give up ownership. The programme is designed to provide capital, mentorship and market access without diluting equity, allowing founders to keep control as they scale.
The launch event took place at the Deep Learning Indaba 2026, hosted by Pan‑Atlantic University in Lagos. Seck emphasized that AI is becoming a key driver of economic development and that Africa must decide whether to become a producer of AI technology or remain an importer. By backing founders who are building generational AI companies that address Africa’s biggest needs, Askya aims to capture the value created by AI on the continent.
Applications are open until 30 September, and the platform will begin its first cohort in early 2027. The initiative represents a concrete step toward expanding the African AI ecosystem, offering both capital and expertise to startups that have already proven product viability and customer interest.
