Oracle has launched a $1 million grant for African IT entrepreneurs to assist them to accelerate their digital initiatives by leveraging the latest cloud technologies and business tools. Over the next two years, Oracle for Entrepreneurs, led by Oracle, will give additional resources and assistance to technology startups across Africa.
As part of this program, 100 entrepreneurs will receive cloud credits worth up to $10,000. Startups will also receive hands-on technical assistance, CEO coaching, go-to-market materials, and customer engagements.
“We help entrepreneurs grow from the ground up to scale at Oracle for Startups. Africa is a powerhouse for tech companies, with a 91 percent increase in enrolments from South African startups and a 39 percent increase from over 13 other African nations in the past year. The one-million-dollar investment will support African tech entrepreneurs in their attempts to use cutting-edge digital technology to help their businesses succeed “Vice President, Oracle for Startups, Jason Williamson.
A recent report from IDC notes the importance of corporations supporting startups to help further spur innovation and had this to say about Oracle for Startups: “Highly valuable to the startup community. Not only do they provide technical support, but they also provide benefits aligned in business areas such as marketing, market access, business knowledge, and expertise.”
This program follows Oracle’s recent announcement of the opening of its first cloud region in Africa to meet the rapidly growing demand for enterprise cloud services on the continent. The Oracle Cloud Johannesburg Region will boost cloud adoption across Africa while also helping businesses achieve better performance and drive continuous innovation. The opening marks Oracle’s 37th cloud region worldwide with plans to have at least 44 cloud regions by the end of 2022, continuing one of the fastest expansions of any major cloud provider.
