FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 22 October 2026
Applications for Cohort 1 of the Cape Venture Bridge are open and close Sunday, 15 November. Tech businesses from across the Western Cape are encouraged to apply.
CAPE TOWN: AfricArise, part of the AfricArena network, has opened applications for the Cape Venture Bridge, a six-month programme that prepares Western Cape tech startups for international venture capital and market expansion. The top five will fly to GITEX Africa in Morocco (26 to 28 April 2027), with investor meetings booked before they land.
What selected startups will receive
Delivered with support from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), Western Cape Government, the programme will select 20 startups for Cohort 1. Each receives:
- South Africa, cross-border finance and regulation, and investor pitching
- At least 12 hours of one-on-one mentorship
- R125,000 in tech credits through programme partners
- A place at the public pitch event in Cape Town
- For the top 5: a fully funded place in the GITEX Africa delegation, with pre-arranged investor and partner meetings
Opening doors to international markets
"Cape Town founders are building companies ready to compete well beyond our borders. The Cape Venture Bridge gives them the investment readiness, the mentorship, and for the top five, a seat at GITEX Africa in Morocco, where investors and partners are looking for exactly what the Western Cape has to offer. We want to see strong applications from across the province, especially from women and young founders," said Dan Mabbyalas, Director of Programmes, AfricArise.
"The Western Cape is home to some of the most innovative technology businesses on the continent. AfricArise's Cape Venture Bridge programme supports startups in strengthening their investment readiness and accessing international markets. DEDAT welcomes initiatives of this nature that contribute to entrepreneurship, economic growth and job creation in the province. We are particularly encouraged by efforts to broaden participation by women-owned and youth-owned businesses, as well as entrepreneurs from across the Western Cape," said Tim Parle, Chief Director: Digital Economy.
Who should apply
The programme is competitive and merit-based. Startups must be:
- Registered and operating in the Western Cape
- Technology or innovation-driven (SaaS, climate-tech, agritech, fintech, e-commerce or health-tech)
- Planning to enter international markets within 12 months
- Led by at least two co-founders or full-time team members who can attend programme activities
How to apply
The application takes about 25 minutes. Have your CIPC registration number, revenue figures and pitch deck link ready.
Deadline: Sunday 15 November 2026, 23:59 SAST.
Cohort 1 will be confirmed by 19 November 2026, and the programme kicks off by 23 November 2026.
About the Cape Venture Bridge
An AfricArise programme, part of the AfricArena network, connecting Western Cape startups to the world. Over its first 12 months, the programme aims to support 40 startups across two cohorts, deliver 80+ pre-arranged investor meetings and 50+ B2B introductions, and contribute to R3M+ in capital facilitated. These are targets, not guarantees.
About the AfricArena Grand Summit 2026
AfricArena marks ten years of connecting African startups with global investors at the AfricArena Grand Summit 2026, taking place in the Western Cape from 30 November to 2 December 2026. The Scale Summit (30 November) will be held at Asara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, and the Rise Summit (2 December) at Nedbank Clocktowers, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Cape Venture Bridge applicants and partners are welcome to join the ecosystem in person.
Full media release supplied to Africa Rising TV, dated 22 October 2026. Formatting and section headings edited for readability.