Quick Read: Resilience17, the venture studio by Flutterwave CEO GB Agboola, has launched Go Time AI, an accelerator for African AI startups. Selected startups receive up to $200K in funding, mentorship, and technical resources. The first cohort includes five innovative startups tackling sectors like e-commerce, legal tech, and mental health. Applications for the second cohort open in May 2025.
Resilience17, the rebranded venture fund and studio founded by Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, has introduced a new accelerator program, Go Time AI, to support African startups building artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Originally launched in 2021 as Berrywood, the venture studio has backed companies like Klasha, Pivo, AltSchool, and Bamboo. Now, it’s shifting its focus to AI, offering selected startups up to $200,000 in funding and mentorship in exchange for 8% equity.
The first cohort of Go Time AI launched in 2024, providing startups with financial support, technical resources, and access to industry experts. Participants receive an initial $25,000, with the potential for an additional $175,000 in follow-on funding. The program also includes cloud computing credits and API services to help startups build, test, and scale their AI products.
Hasan Luongo, General Partner of Resilience17, shared his optimism about Africa’s potential in the AI space:
“Despite challenges acutely highlighted in 2024, Nigeria is poised to continue leading as a global technology hub and can lead in AI. We launched Go Time AI to prove this thesis. After the last four months working closely with the first cohort of AI companies, that conviction has only become stronger.”
Bridging the Gap for African AI Startups
As AI continues to dominate global conversations, African founders are striving to make their mark in the industry. However, challenges like limited access to capital, infrastructure, and technical expertise persist. Go Time AI aims to address these barriers by providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help startups develop and scale competitive AI solutions.
The launch of Go Time AI follows other initiatives aimed at boosting Africa’s tech ecosystem. For example, Iyin Aboyeji of Future Africa and Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani recently introduced Accelerate Africa, an accelerator modeled after Y Combinator. Similarly, Massimiliano Spalazzi, former CEO of Jumia Nigeria, and angel investor Olumide Soyombo launched JADA, a talent hub focused on data and analytics to connect global companies with AI talent in Africa.
Meet the First Cohort
In its inaugural year, Go Time AI selected five startups for its first cohort. These startups presented their pitches at a demo day in January 2025:
- Catlog: An AI-powered bot that helps businesses sell, manage customer inquiries, process payments, and deliver goods via Instagram and WhatsApp.
- Sahel AI: A tool designed to assist law firms and in-house legal teams with contract review and drafting.
- Tyms: AI-driven accounting software tailored for small businesses.
- AI Teacha: A platform that helps teachers with lesson planning, presentations, and developing learning materials.
- FriendNPal: A 24/7 mental health AI companion and live therapy platform.
Each startup received $25,000 upfront, with the potential for an additional $175,000 in two follow-on rounds. Resilience17, which manages a $35 million fund, supports the accelerator without a fixed cohort size, allowing flexibility to onboard more startups as opportunities arise.
A Hands-On Program for Founders
The Go Time AI program kicks off with a week-long event in Lagos, followed by a four-month journey designed to equip founders with practical skills and mentorship. Key components include:
- Demo Nights: Every two weeks, founders showcase their progress and receive feedback from investors, mentors, and peers.
- Office Hours: Deep-dive sessions focusing on technical development, product strategy, and go-to-market (GTM) tactics.
- Expert Guidance: Founders learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders, including Wiza Jalakasi (EBanx), Olusola Amusan (Vesti), Samee Zahid (Chippercash), and Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu (Flutterwave).
Luongo emphasized the program’s focus:
“Our goal was not to teach founders how to run a company but to narrow the focus on what we see as the most important things any early-stage company should prioritize: building a world-class product experience and getting users to the magic moment where they see clear value.”
A Promising Start
Founders from the first cohort have praised Go Time AI for helping them refine their storytelling, improve financial models, enhance product thinking, and connect with corporates and investors. Applications for the second cohort will open in May 2025, offering another opportunity for African AI startups to accelerate their growth.
With its strong foundation and commitment to empowering African innovators, Go Time AI is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s AI landscape.
What are your thoughts on Africa’s potential in the AI space? Share your comments below!
