Open Startup Launches Platform for African Research Startups

Pan-African entrepreneurship organisation Open Startup has launched The Science Road, a platform that connects researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry partners to help turn African scientific research into commercial businesses.

The programme, announced on 29 June 2026 during the organisation’s tenth anniversary celebrations, focuses on research in artificial intelligence, health technology, climate technology and advanced manufacturing. It seeks to address a long-standing challenge across Africa: many promising scientific discoveries never progress beyond the laboratory because researchers struggle to secure investment, commercial expertise and industry partnerships.

Founded in Tunisia in 2016, Open Startup has supported more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and over 1,000 startups across 20 African countries. With The Science Road, the organisation is broadening its work beyond startup acceleration to support companies built on scientific and engineering research.

A Different Approach to Supporting Deep-Tech Startups

Rather than operating as a conventional accelerator, the platform concentrates on research-based companies that typically require longer development periods, specialised technical expertise and patient investment before reaching the market.

The Science Road brings together Open Startup’s existing programmes under two tracks. One is dedicated to helping researchers develop businesses from scientific discoveries, while the second supports early-stage technology companies preparing to expand into larger markets.

Open Startup has also introduced Openers First, an investment vehicle that will provide early-stage funding to selected companies participating in the programme. The fund is intended to help bridge the financing gap many research-based startups face between developing a prototype and attracting institutional investors.

Speaking at the launch, Open Startup Founder and Chief Executive Officer Houda Ghozzi said the organisation’s next phase will focus on building stronger connections between research institutions, entrepreneurs and investors.

“For ten years, Open Startup has worked to help entrepreneurs build ventures and access opportunities. As we enter our second decade, we do so with greater maturity, a broader continental footprint, and a renewed ambition,” she said.

The organisation is also expanding partnerships with research institutions and innovation organisations, including CERI, Stellenbosch University and LaunchLab, to help researchers move technologies from laboratories into commercial markets.

The launch comes as investors increasingly look beyond software startups towards companies developing artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean energy and advanced industrial technologies. While these businesses can take longer to generate returns, they also offer opportunities to develop technologies with applications in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and energy.

Closing the Gap Between Research and Industry

Many African universities produce high-quality research, but relatively few discoveries become successful commercial ventures. Limited access to early-stage funding, business development expertise and industry networks continues to slow the growth of research-driven companies.

By combining technical support, investor access and research partnerships under one programme, Open Startup hopes to close some of those gaps and improve the chances of African scientific innovations reaching international markets.

The programme will be judged by its ability to help research-based startups overcome some of the biggest barriers to growth, including access to early-stage funding, commercial expertise and industry partnerships.