Cocreation HUB (CcHUB), in collaboration with Mastercard, has officially opened applications for the fourth cohort of its highly impactful edtech fellowship. This initiative underscores CcHUB's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation in education across Africa, building on a robust track record of empowering emerging technology ventures.

Since its inception, the fellowship has been a significant catalyst for growth within the African edtech landscape, having successfully supported more than 70 startups across the continent. Notable alumni include Smart Stewards, hiPrep, Varsityscape, Mavis Computel, AI Teacha, BlueSands Academy, Cloudnotte, Tespire, and FlexiSAF. Collectively, these supported startups have made a substantial difference, cumulatively reaching over 700,000 learners. An impressive 89% of these beneficiaries are children and youth, reflecting the program's focus on foundational education. The initiative also champions gender inclusivity, with a nearly even split of 49% female and 51% male learners.

For its upcoming fourth cohort, the CcHUB edtech fellowship is taking a crucial strategic pivot, specifically targeting founders dedicated to developing solutions for communities traditionally overlooked by mainstream edtech. This includes individuals living with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons, residents of underserved and rural communities, and particularly young girls and women. This refined focus aims to address critical gaps in access and equity within education technology.

The program is set to select 12 promising early-stage education technology startups. Each chosen startup will benefit from $100,000 in equity-free funding, a substantial capital injection designed to fuel their development without dilution of ownership. Beyond financial support, participants will engage in a comprehensive 12-month incubation program, gaining invaluable access to tailored mentorship, essential technical support, and a network of strategic ecosystem partners. These resources are geared towards helping founders refine their products, navigate market challenges, and scale their impact sustainably. Prospective applicants should note that applications for this transformative opportunity will close on March 30, 2026.

CcHUB highlights that a significant portion of Africa’s edtech growth has historically been predicated on relatively stable conditions, such as reliable internet access, predictable school calendars, and families with the means to invest in digital learning tools. However, millions of learners across the continent operate outside these ideal realities, facing environments marked by limited connectivity and under-resourced school systems. The fourth cohort is thus designed to prioritize and back startups that are actively tackling these more complex and challenging educational contexts, ensuring that technology serves those most in need.

In addition to learner-focused products, the fellowship is also keenly seeking startups that are innovating in education data systems. The goal is to identify solutions that align authentically with real school workflows and empower better, data-driven decision-making within educational institutions. Nissi Madu, Managing Partner and Practice Lead at re:learn, CcHUB’s education practice, articulated the program's evolving vision, stating, “We love bold ideas, and Cohort 4 is for teams that can show evidence, not just intent: how the product performs under real constraints, how it reaches learners, and what changes because it exists.” She further emphasized the underlying philosophy: “This is about backing founders who understand that until edtech works for the most vulnerable, it doesn’t truly work at all.”

Founded in 2010 as Nigeria’s pioneering innovation center, CcHUB has expanded its influence significantly, now boasting a presence in key African cities including Lagos, Kigali, Nairobi, and Windhoek. Through strategic initiatives like this edtech fellowship, CcHUB continues to solidify its central role in shaping how technology can be leveraged to broaden access to quality education and foster innovation across the entire African continent. Nigerian edtech startups meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply via the program's dedicated website.