Flapmax, an artificial intelligence (AI) firm, has unveiled a strategic collaboration with Intel, the global technology giant, aimed at fostering AI innovation and promoting economic empowerment in Africa.
This partnership will deliver technology access, training, mentorship, and financial support to entrepreneurs in emerging markets, starting with Africa, through the FAST Accelerator program.
What’s more, FAST has been designed to support startups developing cloud-based and AI-driven products and services that benefit African communities, businesses, and governments.
While giving his remarks, Dr. Dave Ojika, Founder and CEO of Flapmax, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“Flapmax has been working with Intel to develop sustainable digital solutions that readily expand AI accessibility in underserved communities, and we are excited to build on our momentum with the FAST Accelerator program.
“Bridging the knowledge gap in technological advancement is key to creating meaningful social impact.
“Through this partnership with Intel, Flapmax will bring cutting-edge technology and advanced curricula, including generative AI, robotics, and deep tech, to innovators in Africa and other technologically underserved communities,” Ojika said.
Flapmax Nurturing Global Startups for AI Success
Moreover, Flapmax, in collaboration with Microsoft, has introduced the FAST Accelerator program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering startups to achieve rapid and sustainable growth.
This program offers a unique blend of business development support, seamless integration of AI technologies, access to funding opportunities, and a strong community-building platform.
Similarly, the inaugural edition of FAST Accelerator garnered significant interest, with over 800 startups from across 25+ countries vying to participate. This overwhelming response underscores the program’s appeal and potential for startups.
Startup leaders are invited to submit their applications for this year’s FAST Accelerator program. Selected startups will embark on an immersive five-week journey in the heart of Silicon Valley, California.
During this period, they will have the invaluable opportunity to establish connections with industry experts, engage with potential investors, and expand their global network within Flapmax’s dynamic ecosystem, boasting an impressive roster of over 600 corporate partners.
Michael Campbell, the General Manager of Intel Corporation’s Education Client Division, emphasised the perfect alignment between Intel’s mission to shape the future of computing and Flapmax’s vision to democratise AI technology, especially in underserved regions like Africa and emerging markets.
“The partnership with Flapmax will greatly accelerate AI adoption for these communities, driving scalable business growth, optimised operations, and contributing to a more sustainable world,” he added.
Empowering Startups with Intel and Mirosoft
Program participants will enjoy a close collaboration with Intel, receiving extensive mentorship and coaching.
This partnership will encompass a wide range of activities, from co-innovation projects to robust sales and marketing support, along with go-to-market enablement strategies aimed at expanding their outreach to a broader audience.
Moreover, the Flapmax engineering team will actively assist startups in harnessing the latest Intel-optimised AI hardware and software solutions, ensuring that they can effectively scale and fine-tune their AI models.
This optimization process will take place on the robust Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Participants will also gain access to a host of valuable benefits, including the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, which offers up to $150,000 in cloud credits, as well as access to Azure OpenAI resources, including cutting-edge models like ChatGPT, DALL·E 2, and other Large Language Models (LLMs).
Additionally, they will have the privilege of accessing Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 developer sandboxes.