AY26/27 Cohort 1 is now underway. The program kicked off on 31 August at BIUST and 1 September at UB.See the Schedule

Turn Your Innovative Idea Into a Thriving Startup.

AY26/27 Cohort 1 is underway. The program kicked off on 31 August at BIUST and 1 September at UB, and teams are now working through four sprint sessions.

Watch Info Session Recording View the Schedule

Your Launchpad for Groundbreaking Solutions

MASA, which stands for Mentorship in Action for Startup Acceleration, is your platform to develop groundbreaking solutions and build a successful startup.

This intensive program is a collaboration between the University of Botswana and BIUST. It is developed with the support of the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program and in partnership with the UM6P Explorer Programme, bringing world-class entrepreneurial resources right to you.

Students collaborating in a modern office

Hear From Our Innovators

Watch how the MASA Innovation Program is empowering students to build confidence, test their assumptions, and create real-world impact in Botswana.

Your Toolkit for Startup Success

A team working together on a project with sticky notes

Expert Mentorship

Receive one-on-one guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Seed Funding & Resources

Gain access to equity-free funding, makerspace tools, and co-working areas.

A Powerful Network

Connect with innovators, investors, and partners from Botswana and beyond.

View All 10 Program Benefits →

Your Journey From Idea to Launch

Applications Open

Closed

Info Session

August 13

Application Deadline

Passed (Aug 20)

Acceptance Letters

Sent (Aug 28)

Program Kickoff

Aug 31 (BIUST)
Sep 1 (UB)

What to Expect: AY26/27 Cohort 1 Sprints

Session 1: Foundations

September 7-11. Focus on core concepts and initial planning.

Kickoff: Completed 31 August (BIUST), 1 September (UB)

Session 2: Validation

October 5-9. Learn to test your ideas and gather feedback.

Deliverable: Assumptions Framework.

Session 3: Engagement

October 26-30. Master the art of connecting with your audience.

Deliverable: Customer Interviews.

Session 4: Acceleration

November 30 - December 4 (proposed). Prepare to pitch your startup to the world.

Deliverable: Final Business Pitch.

Planned around your academic calendar: mid-term break falls on 14-18 September (UB) and 28 September - 2 October (BIUST), and the sessions avoid the November examination period (reading week 9-13 November, examinations 13-25 November).

Watch the Information Session

Missed the live event on 13 August? Watch the recording to get a full overview of the program, understand the expectations, and prepare for future application cycles.

Watch the Recording Now

Applications Closed

Applications for AY26/27 Cohort 1 closed on 20 August 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted a startup proposal. For future cycles, you are eligible to apply if:

  • You are a current student (undergraduate or graduate) at the University of Botswana or BIUST.
  • You are a member of the public who has partnered with a current UB or BIUST student.
  • The designated project leader for the application must be a current student from either university.

AY26/27 Cohort 1 Applications

Status: Closed
Closed On: August 20, 2026
Acceptance Letters: August 28, 2026

Missed the deadline? You can still watch the Info Session recording to learn about the program expectations and get a head start for future cohorts.

A group of students presenting their project

Developed in Collaboration With

Logos of our partners: MIT Sandbox, EXPLORER, University of Botswana, BIUST, and UNDP