Open Startup (OST) has officially launched its 8th cohort, kicking off in Tunisia on October 13th. This program marks a significant milestone for the organization as it represents the first fully Pan-African Regional Gathering of its kind.
Over the coming weeks, 12 promising startups selected from 5 African countries will work closely with a team of over 40 Columbia Business School MBAs and industry experts. The program is designed to bring diverse global perspectives to bear on local African challenges and market opportunities.
A Decade of Connecting African and U.S. Ecosystems
The launch of this cohort is a dual celebration, also marking 10 years of collaboration between Columbia University and Open Startup. This long-term partnership has been pivotal in evolving OST from its origins as a student competition into a premier market and investment-readiness engine connecting the African and U.S. tech ecosystems.
With this 8th cohort, the flagship OST program now joins the organization’s other programs, GROW and BRAIN, in becoming fully Pan-African in its scope.
Key Ecosystem Partners
This initiative is made possible through a collaboration with several key partners, including AfricaGrow, AfricInvest Group, Columbia Business School, Columbia Engineering, and The Dot. Open Startup extended special recognition to its partners at Columbia University, including Ivy Schultz, Farzin Samadani, and Professor Kamel Jedidi, for their dedicated expertise and support.
About Open Startup (OST)
Open Startup (OST) is an international organization dedicated to building and scaling programs at the intersection of the U.S. and African tech ecosystems. It focuses on creating market and investment-readiness programs that support startups, enable talent, and foster sustainable economic growth across the African continent.
Source: LinkedIn
