AI Accelerator

You are welcomed into an inclusive global community with unrivalled access to local and global capital, talent, connections and innovation.

Be empowered to bring your perspectives and innovation to the centre of technological development and advancement with access to social and financial capital and services in global markets.

AI Accelerator

Sector: Agnostic

Focus: Artifical Intelligence

Dates during: 30 July – 15 October 2024

Location: Virtual

Fee: 

Premium: Included 
All benefits of the AI Accelerator inclusive of All Mentoring, Labs, Workshops and Showcase.

 

Pick and Choose: ($175 each) Workshops and Labs only. 

 

If you seek further benefits of an inclusive and global community join the 1000 Black Voices Membership.

During the AI Accelerator you will have access to

  • Interactive workshops relevant for growth in the growing and fast changing AI space.  

 
  • Labs for deep dives into challenges you are facing, providing bespoke advice and ways forward though an AI review of architecture, use cases and tools.
 
  • Mentor relationships providing advice and guidance for you to achieve business goals. These are facilitated through 1-2-1 mentoring, mentoring circles and specialist mentors available for a deep dive into specific areas of need. 

 
  • Support for investment readiness – pitch practice with investors.

Robin Lester

Robin Lester is a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft working in Global Partner Solutions (GPS) to help partners bring Data and AI solution to market. With over 20 years in the industry, specializing in Machine Learning technologies, databases and data warehouses. He is part of the Microsoft Responsible AI group committed to making sure AI systems are developed responsibly and in ways that warrant people’s trust.

 

 

John Kinson

John has worked as a fractional CTO, CEO, GTM advisor and board member with 30+ years’ experience in AI/ML, digital transformation, telecoms, life sciences, digital media and embedded systems development, with both software products and SaaS services companies, in the public and private sectors. John helps leadership and data science teams  of global companies in the US, Europe and APAC regions to employ AI to transform their business operations.

Vance Dekker

Vance Dekker is an Investor with Techstars. Vance sources, screens, conducts diligence and prepares investment memos for the Investment Committee, and he also invests in companies in his role at Techstars.

Take the next step in connecting to investment  and scaling! 

#1000BlackVoices 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Accelerate Growth includes

  • Interactive workshops and surgeries relevant for growth providing relevant and practical insight into the Investment Journey, fundraising, technologies, employee and customer engagement, branding, innovation and technologies, pitch practice. In addition, we offer participating founders the chance to develop deep relationships with industry
  • Dedicated 1-2-1 mentoring with industry experts and monthly mentoring circles.
 

First and foremost you have a safe trusted space to talk about the challenges you face as a Black founder with authentic and active support provided to remove barriers for you to grow and scale. We understand your challenges as a Black Founder and are always acting to bring in the value you need.

You will have the benefit of online/hybrid sessions of varied lengths ranging average an hour. The first few weeks are intensive with around 6 hours per week, primarily Tuesdays (a few exceptions).

From week 1, you will be focused on developing your pitch deck, pitch practice and gaining advice and feedback to strengthen your investment readiness.

We strongly recommend that you take full advantage of the sessions, 1-2-1 mentoring, AMA’s as well as developing relationships with industry experts, VC’s and fellow cohort members.

These are critical to your efforts to further understand the tech landscape, scale up your business, increase customer acquisition,  and expand your pool of suitable investors.

To be eligible for the Accelerate Growth:
  • Business with a product or service in the market
  • Technology business, in tech subsectors such as: FinTech, B2B tech, SaaS platforms, AI/ML, GameTech, GreenTech, Data analytics, HRTech, Retail Tech, PropTech, RegTech, LegalTech, HealthTech, Wellness Tech etc. 
  • Registered anywhere in the world
  • Black Heritage with 50% or more ownership and making the key strategic decisions for the company.
  • You are available to attend all the sessions over the 12-week period

To be eligible for the Accelerate Global program which includes Trade Missions 
  • Seeking to raise capital 
  • Registered company 
  • Technology business, in tech subsectors such as: FinTech, B2B tech, SaaS platforms, AI/ML, GameTech, GreenTech, Data analytics, HRTech, Retail Tech, PropTech, RegTech, LegalTech, HealthTech, Wellness Tech etc. 
  • Interested in doing business globally and specifically developing  investor and business connections
  • You are available to attend the Trade Mission (dates to be confirmed)

For Accelerate Growth pick and choose register, approval will be given by sending through payment details. On payment an invitation will be sent out.

For Accelerate Growth through Premium. 

Premium provides personalised services to support investment readiness and funding

Stage 1: Get in touch for a conversation

Form Completion of forms including Video Submission. Submissions on a rolling basis.

Please check that you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above. If you do, then complete the application form using ‘Apply here’.

Stage 2: Selection and Acceptance on 1000 Black Voices Programs

Shortlisted applicants will be sent an invitation to join Premium. 

For the Accelerate Global including Trade Mission this is inclusive of Premium and the process is as above.

Completing Accelerate Growth is not a requirement to go onto Accelerate Global which includes the trade mission. You can take the opportunity to  participate in both the Pre-trade mission + Trade Mission as part of Accelerate Global (See eligibility criteria).

The pre-trade mission program is recommended 

The Trade Mission includes
 
  • The Trade Mission is a program where founders benefit from unique access to the investor community with the opportunity to learn about doing business in the local ecosystem.
  • Networking with ecosystem partners, founders and VC’s
  • Pitch to VC’s