Wimbart launches fourth edition of Office Hours Mentorship Programme for African tech startups
Wimbart, the London-based Public Relations agency specializing in Africa and emerging markets, has launched the fourth edition of its Office Hours Programme.
Wimbart Office Hours is a PR mentorship and business support programme designed to equip early-stage African start-ups with media know-how and insights.
Long-time Wimbart collaborators Ventures Platform will join the Office Hours programme for a third consecutive year and will be joined by TechCabal in delivering keynote talks. In an enhanced offering for 2022, cohort four will also receive talks by ecosystem leaders TLP Advisory, Norebase and Wowzi.
“Wimbart has worked with almost 100 African technology companies over the years, which has given us a unique insight into the support and business tools they need. Previously we have focused Office Hours on PR & communications, but we realised that even more access to professional services was needed, which is why for 2022, we are excited to connect our incredible network of ecosystem operators to our cohort”. Speaking on the launch of the fourth edition of Wimbart Office Hours, Founder and CEO, Jessica Hope says.
Wimbart Office Hours targets startups with a focus on companies building tech solutions for Africans on the continent or the diaspora and has been structured to provide guidance, insight and tools on a range of topics from developing successful communications plans to building relationships with journalists, communicating with investors and how to amplify press coverage. To-date, 70+ start-ups have gone through the programme, from over 10 countries and Wimbart Office Hours alumni include Healthtracka, Tix Africa, Artdey, Nguvu Health, Fashtracker and Vybe, among others.
Applications to be part of the fourth cohort are now open and will close on Friday 22nd July 2022. Eligible startups must: be located on or providing services to the continent, be less than two years old, have a minimum viable product available and have secured investment at no later than a seed-level stage.
Successful Cohort 4 Office Hours start-ups will receive three X one hour all-cohort keynote training sessions, led by Wimbart [an introduction to PR & Communications], Ventures Platform [How to communicate with VCs] and TechCabal [How to communicate and build relationships with the media] before being matched with senior PR professionals from the Wimbart team who will deliver three one-on-one mentorship sessions over an 8 week period. In addition, cohort four will receive expert talks from leaders in the investment strategy, legal and brand/consumer social space, with Odunoluwa Longe of TLP Advisory, Garth Manthe of Wowzi and Adetola Onayemi of Norebase delivering presentations.
