Tunisia’s 216 Capital, Plug and Play Launch Venture Accelerator
TLDR
- Tunisian venture capital firm 216 Capital has partnered with Plug and Play, Silicon Valley’s global innovation platform, to launch the 216 Capital Venture Accelerator
- The six-month programme will support up to 20 Tunisian startups with €50,000 ($58,000) in initial funding, mentoring from international investors and coaches
- The initiative is backed by Smart Capital and the ANAVA fund of funds, aligning with Tunisia’s national startup ecosystem strategy
Tunisian venture capital firm 216 Capital has partnered with Plug and Play, Silicon Valley’s global innovation platform, to launch the 216 Capital Venture Accelerator.
The six-month programme will support up to 20 Tunisian startups with €50,000 ($58,000) in initial funding, mentoring from international investors and coaches, and access to Plug and Play’s global network of investors and corporate partners. Top performers may also secure follow-on investment.
The initiative is backed by Smart Capital and the ANAVA fund of funds, aligning with Tunisia’s national startup ecosystem strategy. The goal is to position Tunisia as a regional innovation hub bridging Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
216 Capital Partner Dhekra Khelifi said the programme would help founders structure their businesses and raise capital. Plug and Play’s Yves Cabanac added the partnership aims to channel international investment flows into Tunisia’s tech ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways
Tunisia has one of the most developed startup ecosystems in North Africa, supported by the government’s Startup Act of 2018, which created regulatory incentives, tax breaks, and funding support for entrepreneurs. The ANAVA fund of funds, managed by Smart Capital, has already mobilised hundreds of millions of euros for local venture funds. Yet Tunisian founders often face hurdles when scaling beyond national borders, from limited growth capital to fragmented regional markets. The partnership with Plug and Play gives startups a direct link to Silicon Valley’s network of investors, corporates, and mentors, potentially reducing these barriers. By offering capital and international exposure, the accelerator is designed to produce Tunisian companies that can compete regionally and globally. If successful, the programme could strengthen Tunisia’s positioning as a bridge market—leveraging its talent base, geographic location, and policy support to anchor innovation flows across Africa, MENA, and Europe.
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