Tunisian Startup Scene Reaches New Milestone with Launch of "216 Capital Venture Accelerator"
The Tunisian startup scene has taken a major step forward with the official launch of the "216 Capital Venture Accelerator" program, a partnership between investment fund 216 Capital and California-based innovation and startup financing giant Plug and Play.
A Unique Program for Tunisian Startups
The six-month acceleration program aims to prepare up to 20 Tunisian startups to become "investment-ready" and succeed in scaling up regionally and internationally. The program includes:
- Personalized sessions with international coaches, mentors, and VCs
- An investment ticket of €50,000 per startup, with the possibility of larger tickets for the most promising projects at the end of the program
- Integration into Plug and Play's global network, providing continuous access to international investors, mentors, and partners
A Shared Vision for the Tunisian Ecosystem
"This program marks a significant turning point for the Tunisian ecosystem. By partnering with Plug and Play, we are giving local founders the means to structure themselves, raise funds, and access global markets," said Dhekra Khelifi, Partner at 216 Capital. "Tunisia has already demonstrated its ability to generate innovations with international scope, giving birth to some of the most notable successes on the African continent. With this launch, we want to amplify this momentum by identifying high-potential startups, integrating global market standards, and directing new investment flows to the country. Our ambition is to position Tunisia as a transregional innovation hub, capable of radiating from local to global," added Yves Cabanac, Managing Director France, Benelux, Africa at Plug and Play.
Strategic Impact
In addition to strengthening entrepreneurial skills, the 216 Capital Venture Accelerator program aims to:
- Maximize investments in local startups through 216 Capital and Plug and Play Africa Ventures
- Position Tunisia as a key innovation hub in Africa and the MENA region
- Inspire a new generation of success stories, capable of attracting international attention
Supported by Smart Capital and the ANAVA fund of funds, this program is part of the national strategy to structure and finance Tunisian startups, with the ambition of transforming Tunisia into a competitive and sustainable regional innovation hub.
