Togolese universities are brimming with talent and brilliant ideas, but this potential is often under-exploited due to a lack of support structures, funding and mentoring. Faced with the growing challenges of youth employability and the need for local innovation, the Student Tech Pulse programme is positioning itself as a strategic lever to boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Togo's universities.
Launched by the IYBA-SEED Togo programme, in partnership with the DAGBA Accelerator, the Africa Coworkers incubator, and 10 public and private universities and student associations, this programme aims to transform students' innovative ideas into viable businesses that create economic and social value.
With experts mobilised to identify, train and promote the best student projects, this initiative seeks to encourage creativity and innovation within Togolese universities and facilitate the emergence of young entrepreneurs capable of transforming their ideas into viable businesses.
Student Tech Pulse is open to students from universities and high schools in Togo, as well as student associations promoting entrepreneurship. This synergy aims to create an academic environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, aligned with Togo's national development and economic transformation objectives.
What are the objectives of Student Tech Pulse?
To encourage entrepreneurial spirit among students in all disciplines.
To identify and support high-potential projects.
To train and structure student associations involved in promoting entrepreneurship.
To foster the emergence of local champions capable of providing innovative solutions to Togo's economic and social challenges.
The Student Tech Pulse programme in 4 phases
1. Preparation and selection of participants • Identification of 10 partner universities (public and private). • Call for applications from student associations and selection of 10 partner organisations. • Organisation of intra-university pitches to identify the best projects. 2. Inter-university competition and pitch • Organisation of pitch events at universities. • Selection of 10 winners during a grand final. • Coaching and mentoring by experts and partner incubators. 3. Support for winners • Intensive one-week boot camp to strengthen skills. • Prototyping of solutions with the support of technology partners. • Set up of data rooms to structure projects and prepare for fundraising. 4. Market access and fundraising • Market testing of prototypes with beta testers. • Pitch sessions in front of investors, local funds and business angels. • Post-programme monitoring and support to ensure the viability of start-ups.
Student Tech Pulse in figures
5,000 students involved
100 projects supported and 10 transformed into solid businesses
10,000,000 CFA francs in seed funding to support winners in their start-up phase.
Calendar
Launch ceremony: 3 October 2025
10 intra-university pitches at selected universities: 15 to 24 October 2025
Online training for the 20 project leaders on pitches: 7 November 2025
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