Move your Start-up to the Next Level

This is a partnership between BongoHive and AUG10FORD Training, a Swiss Foundation-backed initiative designed to take four youth-led Zambian businesses from proof of concept to investor-ready in 24 months.

Most programmes hand over cash and walk away. This one does the opposite.

The AUG10FORD Training programme is a 24-month business operating system — hands-on, structured, and built around the systems most founders skip until they break them: financial modelling, human resources, legal compliance, corporate governance, marketing, and corporate readiness. You won't just be trained. You'll be built.

Top 4 finalists graduate as bankable, investable companies — capable of sitting across the table from a bank, a VC, or a corporate buyer with full confidence.

What You Gain

• Financial modelling — understand your numbers, unit economics, and growth levers

• HR systems — hire, manage, and retain people properly

• Legal & compliance — get formally structured and protected

• Corporate governance — boards, reporting, and accountability frameworks

• Marketing — go-to-market strategy and brand positioning

• Corporate readiness — pitch fluency, investor relations, due diligence preparation

• 24 months of continuous, tailored support — not a workshop, a transformation

• Access to an international expert pitching panel

• Alignment with SDG 5 (women's empowerment), SDG 8 (decent work & economic growth), and SDG 9 (innovation & infrastructure)

Who Should Apply

Primary Applicant — Revenue-Stage Founder

You already have traction. You're generating revenue or have active pilot users. You know exactly which systems are holding you back.

• Age 25–35

• Lusaka-based with regional ambition

• Registered business or active pilot

• 1–10 employees

• Early traction: sales, partnerships, or pilot users

Secondary Applicant — Exceptional Early-Stage Founder

You have a sharp, data-backed idea and an ambitious execution plan — but most accelerators won't look at you yet. This programme leaves a lane for you.

• Age 18–25

• Recent university graduate or young entrepreneur (UNILUS, UNZA, CBU, or similar)

• Pre-revenue or pre-pilot stage with a strong prototype, MVP, or foundational research

• No industry network yet — but a clear, fundable vision

Women founders are strongly encouraged to apply. Gender diversity is a deliberate programme priority.

Priority Sectors

Applications from the following sectors are especially encouraged:

• Agritech

• Technology

• Finance

• Healthtech

• Clean Energy

• Manufacturing

Selection Process

• The top 12 shortlisted from all qualified applications will receive pitch training

• The top 4 selected to join the 24-month programme

• One key selection criterion: Problem-Solution Fit carries a 15% weighting — we are looking for solutions to Zambia's real needs, not just ideas

• Final selection via a pitching event before an international expert panel