NBA Africa Launches Triple-Double Accelerator to Boost African Sports and Creative Startups

NBA Africa today announced the launch of the second edition of its Triple-Double Accelerator, a flagship startup accelerator program designed to nurture and empower early-stage African startups operating within the sports and creative industries. Following the success of its inaugural program last year, this initiative aims to further support the continent’s burgeoning technology ecosystem and fuel the growth of the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

Expanding Opportunities for African Innovators in Sports and Entertainment

The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator provides selected startups with critical financial support, intensive mentorship, and access to a robust network of industry leaders to accelerate their product development and business scaling efforts. This year’s program will once again be managed by ALX Ventures, a prominent technology incubator focused on equipping Africa’s tech talent with the skills and resources necessary to build and scale impactful startups.

In a significant enhancement, NBA Africa has named ServiceNow, a leading AI platform known for transforming business operations through AI-driven workflows and automation, as an Official Partner of the accelerator. ServiceNow’s Now Assist and AI agents will play a key role in helping startups streamline operations and improve customer experiences at scale.

Application Process and Program Structure

Applications for the 2025 edition opened today and will remain open until Friday, August 29, 2025. Early-stage startups focused on innovating within sports, entertainment, and creative sectors are encouraged to apply via https://TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com.

Following the application phase, a rigorous selection process will narrow the pool to a top 10 finalists who will participate in a 10-week mentorship program. These startups will receive tailored guidance from mentors drawn from NBA Africa leadership, ServiceNow, ALX Ventures, and key corporate stakeholders. The mentorship will focus on critical areas including:

• Product development and refinement

• Business growth strategies

• Go-to-market execution

Demo Day and Prize Opportunities

At the culmination of the program, finalists will pitch their innovative products and solutions to an esteemed panel of international industry leaders during the accelerator’s second Demo Day, scheduled for December 2025. From this event, the top five startups will be awarded financial prizes and continued mentorship support, enabling them to scale their ventures and amplify their impact across Africa and beyond.

Building on Last Year’s Success

NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi reflected on the success of the inaugural accelerator program, which attracted more than 700 applications from across the continent, showcasing the immense talent and creativity flourishing within Africa’s startup ecosystem.

“Last year’s inaugural Triple-Double Accelerator program showed how much talent, passion, and creativity there is among African entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the continent’s rapidly growing sport and entertainment industries,” said Akamanzi. “We look forward to reviewing this year’s submissions and to helping another round of promising startups take the next step in their development.”

Spotlight on Past Winners

The first edition of the program culminated with ten finalists pitching their ventures at the NBA headquarters in New York City. Four companies were awarded financial support and ongoing mentorship, including:

• Festival Coins (Nigeria): Innovating payment and ticketing solutions for events.

• Salubata (Nigeria): Creating sustainable footwear using recycled materials.

• HustleSasa (Kenya): Providing a digital platform connecting sports fans and athletes.

• UBR VR (Egypt): Developing virtual reality experiences for immersive sports entertainment.

These startups have since leveraged the accelerator’s support to grow their operations and expand their market reach.

Strengthening Africa’s Sports and Creative Economy

The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator is part of a broader strategy to stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within the continent’s rapidly evolving sports and creative sectors. By connecting startups with capital, mentorship, and global exposure, the program aims to unlock new economic opportunities and accelerate Africa’s leadership in digital sports and entertainment innovation.

Looking Ahead

With the support of ALX Ventures and ServiceNow, the 2025 accelerator program promises to be a transformative platform for African startups, enabling them to overcome growth challenges and scale innovative solutions that resonate across the continent’s dynamic sports and creative industries.

Startups interested in participating are encouraged to apply soon and take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain mentorship from world-class experts and access NBA Africa’s expansive network.