MLab Digital Accelerator Programme (mDEA) 2026

Women and youth enterpreneurs are encouraged to apply.

About the program

The mLab Digital Enterprise Accelerator (mDEA) helps early-stage businesses grow by strengthening their business skills, operational rigour, digital integration and use of technology. We help build ventures that are due diligence and investment-ready.

What are the requirements to join as an entrepreneur?

You are an early-stage founder with a business that has moved beyond the concept phase.
You likely have a working prototype, a small customer base, or a manual business process that is ready for a digital leap.
You operate in sectors with high growth potential and you recognise that your current “analog” operations are the only thing holding you back from scaling.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Personalised Mentoring: Receive one-on-one guidance from experts in entrepreneurship and social impact to address specific challenges.
Practical Training: A methodology designed to validate, structure, and grow your business with a focus on rapid diagnostics.
Networking: Access to a network of allies, mentors, and other entrepreneurs to create synergies and a community.
Ongoing Support: Close support throughout the incubation process to identify and address critical moments.
Funding Opportunities: Strategic connections with seed capital and financing options for your expansion.
Leadership and Decision-Making: Strengthening your management skills and abilities for strategic decision-making.
Local Visibility: Positioning your venture within the regional ecosystem to attract new opportunities.
Visible goals: A system geared towards rapid achievements with clear and measurable monthly objectives.
Intelligent flexibility: A design that allows you to adapt your learning to the daily operations of your business.
Recognition and incentives: We reward your commitment and concrete progress in implementing what you’ve learned.
Technical support: Hands-on assistance in using the Bridge platform to ensure you get the most out of it.

Sign up

Deadline: 2026-06-29

Days

Hours

This program is no longer accepting applications.

Organizer

mLab

Town / Region

South Africa

Sectors accepted for this program

Agriculture, Education, Health, Renewable Energy

Join as a mentor and help entrepreneurs in Africa achieve success!

We are looking for mentors who are committed to joining our incubation program. If you have a passion for entrepreneurship, have at least 5 years of professional experience and are committed to reviewing and monitoring your entrepreneur’s work before mentoring meetings, we want you to join us! We envision a fair, efficient and meritocratic society where innovation belongs to everyone. Sign up today and help Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs succeed!

What requirements must you have to mentor?

Motivated to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
A professional with at least 3 years of experience, from any field.
Willing to do an 1 hr Mentor Training call.
Able to commit on average 2h of work every week on the platform (based on reviewing and validating all the steps and the weekly meeting) over the duration of the program.
Interested in being part of an international community of mentors.
Commitment to actively participate in the program from 4 to 6 months approximately.

Mentor Benefits

Generate real impact
Support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
Clear methodology and training
Mentor with a guided, easy-to-follow, and results-oriented structure.
Expand your network
Connect with other mentors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Develop new skills
Strengthen your leadership, active listening, and strategic thinking.
Flexibility
Deliver value with sessions tailored to your availability.
Continuous learning
Exchange knowledge and stay connected to new ideas and business models.
Recognition
Receive certification and become part of an international community.

Program Timeline

Pre-Program Phases

8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Scouting Phase (Ms&Es)
8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Application Phase (Ms&Es)
8 Aug – 10 Sep 2025 → Shortlisting

Onboarding & Matching

10 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Entrepreneurs (Zoom, 1h 30m)
11 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Mentors (Zoom, 1h 30m)
11 Sep – 30 Sep 2025 → Matching Phase (B4B Incubation Platform, Ms&Es)
1 Oct – 8 Oct 2025 → Matching Phase Analysis (Platform)
8 Oct 2025 → Kick Off Call (Zoom, Entrepreneurs + Mentors)

Core Modules

8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Closing Phase

8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Program Timeline

Apply to participate in the program

Until September 15, 2025

Tell us more about yourself and your project by submitting your application. Our team will evaluate all applications from entrepreneurs and mentors who apply to the program.

Confirmation of selected profiles

Until 17 October 2025

We will review the completed applications through a selection process and select the participants for this edition of the programme.

Participate in the welcome session

18 and 19 January 2024

You will be invited to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation programme. In this session we will cover the programme schedule, your role, the role of mentors, the use of incubation tools to help you work on your business and much more.

Matching

Training of work pairs for entrepreneurs/mentors - 19 January - 31 January

Take part in our matching process! You will have the possibility to meet with the volunteer mentors from our Community that you think will be the best match for you and your project. Once you have met several mentors, both you and they will send us their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and we will make the best teams.

Start the incubation program

February - June 2024

Start the hybrid incubation experience with mentoring sessions, working tools and structured development. You will have 5 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop your validated business plan.

You will work weekly with your personal mentor in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
You will have the incubation team on hand at all times to answer any questions you may have.
You will finish the programme developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to potential investors.

Completion of incubation program

June 2024

Do you have any questions about the program?

Contact Nyasha Mate, Incubation Manager of the program to answer all your questions.

This program is part of

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