An Idea Validation Sprint

A practical, founder-first program helping African innovators test and validate real problems, refine their solutions and confidently move from idea to impact.

Program Objective.

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Program Objective. *

To guide early-stage African founders through a structured process of testing assumptions, understanding real user needs, and building early proof that their ideas are worth backing — with time for deep iteration.

PROGRAM FEATURES

  • 8 live expert workshops

  • 2 pitch feedback clinic

  • Peer review & founder circles

  • Mentor office hours

  • Tools: problem template, user interview scripts, MVP checklist

  • Certificate of Completion

WHO SHOULD APPLY

  • First-time or early-stage African founders

  • Pre-product or pre-revenue

  • Clear intent to solve real problems and test fast

  • Time commitment: 6–8 hrs/week

Modules

Week 1: Grounding the Vision.

Theme: “Why this? Why now?”

  • Clarify your motivation, values, and north star

  • Understand the African innovation context

  • Write your founder’s vision statement

Deliverable: Personal founder brief + venture vision doc

Week 4: Insight into Solution Fit

Theme: “Crafting value that matters.”

  • Synthesize learnings into insights

  • Create your solution hypothesis

  • Develop value proposition canvas

Deliverable: Solution hypothesis + unique value prop

Week 7: Storytelling & Positioning

Theme: “Own your narrative.”

  • Craft your startup’s story for future partners, investors, and users

  • Learn the art of the validation pitch

  • Design a compelling one-pager or deck

Deliverable: 5-minute pitch deck + startup one-pager

Week 2: Problem Framing

Theme: “Fall in love with the problem.”

  • Define the core problem clearly

  • Map the problem's context & consequences

  • Identify who’s most affected

Deliverable: Problem statement + opportunity landscape

Week 5: Concept Prototyping

Theme: “Make it real (but keep it simple).”

  • Intro to low/no-code tools and visual storytelling

  • Build a simple prototype (MVP, landing page, etc.)

  • Run early peer tests

Deliverable: Prototype v1 + test plan

Week 8: Final Showcase + Go-Forward Plan

Theme: “You’ve got proof. Now build smart.”

  • Present to a curated panel (ecosystem leaders, funders, etc.)

  • Receive feedback + invitations to partner programs

  • Create a post-program strategy

Deliverable: Final pitch + go-forward roadmap

Week 3: Customer Discovery

Theme: “Get out of the building.”

  • Learn how to conduct effective user interviews

  • Validate pain points and needs through 10+ interviews

  • Develop empathy maps + customer personas

Deliverable: Discovery report + 2 refined user personas

Week 6: Market Testing

Theme: “Let the market speak.”

  • Launch small-scale validation experiments

  • Measure traction: interest, clicks, sign-ups, feedback

  • Adapt based on feedback

Deliverable: Test results + updated prototype

Week 9: Program Wrap-Up

Theme: “Reflect, Learn, and Plan Ahead.”

  • Reflect on your journey and the growth of your venture

  • Final feedback from peers and mentors on the full program experience

  • Plan for your next steps: pivots, funding, building your team, etc.

  • Networking and resource-sharing session with alumni and industry leaders

    Deliverable: Reflection report + updated go-forward strategy + action plan