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Botswana Hosts First MIT Kuo Sharper Center Early-Stage Program Demo Day
Botswana has hosted the first-ever MIT Kuo Sharper Center Early-Stage Program Demo Day, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to foster entrepreneurship and build a knowledge-based economy.
The event, organised by the MIT Kuo Sharper Center in partnership with the Government of Botswana and the Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub, showcased the culmination of a 12-week program that trained early-stage founders from across Africa. The initiative aligns with Botswana’s broader vision of driving economic diversification, innovation, and inclusive growth.
More than 1,300 entrepreneurs applied to join the program, with 31 selected to participate. Over the three months, they received mentorship from MIT faculty and leading African innovators, refining ventures in agriculture, climate resilience, mining, health, and digital services.
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The Demo Day brought together government officials, investors, and innovation leaders, including Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, who praised the collaboration’s alignment with Botswana’s national transformation goals.
“This partnership, between Government, MIT, and the Innovation Hub, sits at the heart of the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP),” said Vice President Gaolathe. “The BETP is not just a policy document; it is our national design for growth, diversification, and competitiveness. Through its Model Lab approach, we bring together government, private sector, academia, and civil society to co-create solutions, test them rapidly, and scale what works. What we are celebrating tonight is a living embodiment of that process, an innovation laboratory that converts bold ideas into tangible impact.”
“This Demo Day is more than a showcase of ventures, it’s a demonstration of what becomes possible when world-class knowledge is paired with investment, strong policy, local talent and coordinated support,” said Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center. “The energy and innovation we’ve seen in this first cohort reinforces our commitment to Botswana and its journey toward becoming a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.”
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The Demo Day marks the conclusion of the inaugural cohort but also the beginning of a broader collaboration between Botswana and MIT. Building on the program’s success, the MIT Kuo Sharper Center plans to roll out two additional initiatives before the end of 2025:
- Deep Tech Program (November 10–16, 2025, Gaborone): Aimed at scientists and researchers, this program will focus on commercialising advanced technologies, strengthening Africa’s R&D ecosystem, and connecting innovators with investors and mentors.
- Growth Stage Program (December 2025, Nairobi): Targeting growth-stage entrepreneurs, this initiative will help businesses scale operations, expand customer bases, and access investment networks.
Together, these programs form a comprehensive pipeline supporting African entrepreneurs from early idea development to business growth and impact. They also reinforce Botswana’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, while advancing the MIT Kuo Sharper Center’s vision of defining a new model for prosperity in emerging markets.