Qualcomm Incorporated has officially launched the fourth edition of its Qualcomm® Make in Africa Mentorship Program, unveiling a package of financial incentives designed to boost deep-tech innovation across the continent.
For the 2026 cycle, each of the ten selected startups will be eligible for a $5,000 stipend upon the successful completion of program requirements.
Qualcomm is also lowering the barrier to intellectual property (IP) protection by offering up to $5,000 in reimbursements for filing fees to participants who file patents during the program.
Beyond the initial stipends and patent funding, the program offers a comprehensive suite of high-value resources. At the program’s finale, one standout startup will be awarded a grant from the Qualcomm for Good Social Impact Fund.
Startups will also receive free edge-AI capable platforms, including the Arduino® UNO™ Q and the upcoming Arduino® VENTUNO™ Q to accelerate product prototyping. Additionally, the initiative provides access to free IP education via the L2Pro Africa platform and professional patent filing consultations provided by Adams & Adams, Africa’s leading IP law firm.
Selected from a record-breaking pool of over 1,200 applications across 45 countries, ten startups represent the Class of 2026. If all participants successfully complete the program, Qualcomm will distribute a collective $50,000 in stipends alone.
Wassim Chourbaji, President of Qualcomm Middle East and Africa, noted that the program is witnessing an increasing sophistication in African solutions, particularly in the realms of Edge AI and 5G.
