The “Orange Digital Centers” network encompasses startups in Africa and the Middle East, and Orange Ventures and Digital Africa have pledged to co-invest in these businesses.
Orange Digital Centre is an ecosystem that is spread across eight European countries, 17 Middle Eastern and African countries, and provides free programs for everyone to access. These programs range from digital training for youth to startup incubation and acceleration, as well as investment and support for project leaders.
In an effort to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the area, it provides support at every stage of the startup lifecycle. The Fuzé investment facility, currently managed by Digital Africa, enables early-stage companies based in Francophone Africa to apply for equity funding from the organization up to EUR50,000 (US$54,000).
Grégoire de Padirac, CEO of Digital Africa, and Fayçal Adlouni, managing partner of Orange Ventures, inked a partnership agreement at Vivatech to enhance and expedite support for African startups from the Orange Digital Centers.
“The Orange Group is fully committed to nurturing the future champions of the technology scene in Africa and the Middle East. This arrangement, involving Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange Ventures and Digital Africa will collectively enable us to concentrate our resources to create an environment conducive to the success of startups in Africa and the Middle East,” Adlouni said.
Startups are encouraged to visit the Orange Ventures, Orange Digital Center, and Digital Africa websites to learn more about this new initiative.
