If you have a creative idea and want to transform it into a scalable, investable venture, UVU Africa’s new Timbuktoo Creatives Ideation Programme is your next step. Designed specifically for early-stage founders in Africa’s creative and cultural sectors, this six-week virtual programme offers structured support, expert mentorship, and peer learning — all hosted entirely online in English.
Who Is It For?
The programme is ideal for youth and women entrepreneurs in the creative economy (aged 18–35), working in sectors like:
- Audio-visual (film, TV, animation)
- Design (graphic, fashion, industrial, architecture)
- Music (recording, festivals, live)
- Multimedia and digital arts
- Cultural and natural heritage preservation
Applicants can join solo or as teams and should be at the ideation or early prototype stage — no fully launched business required.
Programme Details
- Duration: 6 weeks, starting 8 July 2025
- Format: Two live virtual sessions weekly (Zoom or MS Teams), plus peer reviews, assignments, and community engagement
- Commitment: 5–8 hours per week; participants must have stable internet and a device
- Cost: Free to all selected participants
- Application Deadline: 27 June 2025
What You’ll Learn
The curriculum is built around essential startup and creative business modules:
- Entrepreneurial Thinking & Ideation
- Market Research & Customer Discovery
- Solution Design (Design Thinking)
- Branding & Marketing
- Financial Literacy
- Business Model Canvas creation
- Pitching and presentation skills
Why This Programme Stands Out
Hosted by UVU Accelerate, UVU Africa’s incubation arm, and backed by UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative, the programme connects participants with expert mentors, a pan-African peer community, and a support network that continues beyond the course.
This initiative is part of a larger plan to develop Africa’s creative-tech ecosystem, with a physical innovation hub set to open in Cape Town’s District Six — a future home for creative entrepreneurship.
Learn more about the programme here:
https://uvuafrica.com/programmes/timbuktoo-creative-hub-ideation-incubation-programme/
Your Creative Business Starts Here
Africa’s creative economy holds incredible potential — and this programme gives you the tools to turn your idea into a market-ready venture. It’s not just about skills; it’s about building confidence, community, and credibility.
If you’re a passionate creator ready to build a business around your craft, this is your moment to start.
Apply here: https://bit.ly/timbuktoo-ideation
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