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Batch 8 · February to April 2027

The Polaris accelerator

Twelve weeks for ten teams, with weekly mentors, investor meetings, a free desk and Demo Day. We take no equity and charge no fee.

A man presenting to a group seated around a table

Apply

Apply for batch 8

  1. 15 January

    Applications close at midnight.

  2. 22 January

    Shortlisted teams get a call.

  3. 1 February

    Ten teams start on campus.

  4. 23 April

    Demo Day in the Commons hall.

Curriculum

The twelve weeks

Weeks 1 to 4

Customers

Interviews, pricing tests and your first paid pilot.

Weeks 5 to 8

Product and numbers

A product people use and a model investors trust.

Weeks 9 to 12

Raise and launch

Deck, data room, investor meetings and Demo Day.

Fit

Who should apply

  1. Teams of two or more

    At least one technical founder, working full time.

  2. A real problem

    Ideally one you have lived, in a Nigerian or West African market.

  3. Early traction

    A prototype or first users. Revenue helps but is not needed.

Mentors

Who you will learn from

A smiling woman standing in an office

Thirty mentors from fintech, logistics, health and hardware companies, plus lawyers, accountants and investors. Every team gets a lead mentor for the full twelve weeks. Mentor names are kept private in this demo.

Questions

Applying

Do you take equity?

No, never.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Desks, mentors and events are free during the programme.

What if we are not picked?

Every applicant gets a short written note and an invite to office hours.