216 Capital, a leading Tunisian venture capital firm, has partnered with Silicon Valley innovation powerhouse Plug and Play to launch the “216 Capital Venture Accelerator”, a six-month program dedicated to empowering Tunisian startups and scaling them regionally and globally.
The accelerator will support up to 20 startups, providing each with $58,000 in initial funding, along with the potential for follow-on investments for top performers.
Startups will benefit from:
- Tailored mentoring sessions with international investors, venture capitalists, and expert coaches.
- Access to Plug and Play’s global network of investors, mentors, and corporate partners.
- Opportunities to expand their operations regionally and globally while becoming investment-ready.
Dhekra Khelifi, Partner at 216 Capital, stated:
“This programme marks an important milestone for the Tunisian ecosystem. By joining forces with Plug and Play, we are giving local founders the tools to structure their businesses, raise capital, and access international markets.”
Yves Cabanac, Managing Director France, Benelux, Afrique at Plug and Play, added:
“Tunisia has already proven its ability to produce globally relevant innovations. With this programme, we aim to accelerate that momentum by identifying high-potential startups, aligning them with global standards, and channelling new investment flows into the country.”
The initiative is backed by Smart Capital and the ANAVA fund of funds, aligning with Tunisia’s national startup ecosystem strategy, with the ambition of positioning Tunisia as a sustainable and competitive innovation hub in Africa and the MENA region.
