Local venture capital firm 216 Capital has partnered with Silicon Valley giant Plug and Play to launch a new venture accelerator. The joint initiative, named the 216 Capital Venture Accelerator, is designed to fast-track Tunisian startups towards regional and global expansion.
The six-month program will select up to 20 promising startups, providing each with an initial investment of €50,000. Beyond capital, participants will gain access to intensive mentorship from international investors and coaches, as well as Plug and Play’s vast global network of corporations and venture capitalists. Top-performing companies will also become eligible for subsequent funding rounds.
The initiative, backed by Smart Capital and Tunisia’s ANAVA fund of funds, directly supports national strategies to position the country as a leading innovation bridge between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Dhekra Khelifi, a Partner at 216 Capital, described the collaboration as a “significant milestone” that will equip local entrepreneurs with the tools to structure their businesses, attract investment, and access international markets.
Yves Cabanac, Managing Director for France, Benelux, and Africa at Plug and Play, highlighted Tunisia’s untapped potential. “This program aims to accelerate that momentum by identifying high-potential ventures, aligning them with global standards, and channeling new flows of capital into the country,” he stated.
The accelerator addresses a critical challenge for Tunisian startups, which have benefited from the supportive 2018 Startup Act but have often struggled to scale beyond national borders due to fragmented markets and limited global connections. By combining funding with international frameworks and networking opportunities, the program aims to create new, globally recognized startup success stories from Tunisia.
TunisianMonitorOnline (CBR-TechInAfrica)
