Bolt’s Innovative Accelerator Program: €25,000 Seed Capital for Empowering Drivers
Bolt, Africa’s leading ride-hailing operator, is embarking on an exciting journey to empower its drivers through an innovative Accelerator program. In partnership with the Nest Innovation Park (known as ‘the Nest’), Bolt is launching this program to support entrepreneurial aspirations among Nigerian drivers.
Starting today, Bolt is accepting applications for the Bolt Den, a generous €25,000 seed fund that aims to nurture business plans developed by Nigerian drivers. These plans are expected to align with Bolt’s Africa City Vision, which revolves around sustainable transport. The Nest will collaborate closely with Bolt in this endeavor, providing a network of mentors to guide eligible drivers in refining their business proposals. A pitch day is scheduled for November to showcase these innovative ideas.
To Apply: https://thenest.ng/bolt/
In addition to the Bolt Den, Bolt will introduce the Bolt Academy in November. This online training program is tailored specifically for Nigerian drivers, designed to enhance their business development skills and support their long-term career growth. Coursera, a global leader in online education, will provide the core training, complemented by in-person sessions facilitated by PM4Success International.
Together, these initiatives form the Bolt Accelerator Program, which aims to redefine the role of drivers as entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth prospects throughout Nigeria.
Caroline Wanjihia, Bolt’s Regional Director of Rides for Africa, emphasized the program’s potential impact: “Ride-hailing has always offered drivers the flexibility to earn while pursuing wider career opportunities. We hope this program will take this a step further, supporting concepts that will transform drivers’ lives, make a real difference to communities, and could even one day be incorporated into Bolt’s own operations. Drivers are the heartbeat of our business, and we believe that offering more developed economic empowerment opportunities makes our platform a more attractive place to come. It’s a win-win, and we hope to take the program further afield in Africa.”
Oluwajoba Oloba, Co-founder at The Nest, highlighted the alignment of the Bolt accelerator program with Bolt’s commitment to the welfare of its stakeholders: “This initiative not only promises to enhance the quality of life for individuals within the Bolt ecosystem but also to make a valuable contribution to the innovation landscape of our ecosystem and the overall GDP of our country.”
Hadi Moussa, Managing Director EMEA at Coursera, expressed enthusiasm about their role in nurturing entrepreneurship among Bolt drivers: “Through this program, we’re not just fostering individual growth with vital business skills, but also positively impacting Nigeria’s economic landscape. It underlines our belief in the transformative power of education on lives and communities.”
Bolt’s commitment to its driver ecosystem is not new, with various engagement initiatives already in place, including the Bolt Novelty Football Match, Bolt Women Summit, and a dedicated Facebook group for verified drivers in Nigeria to connect and share experiences. With the launch of the Bolt Accelerator Program, Bolt continues to demonstrate its dedication to empowering its drivers and driving positive change within the ride-hailing industry.
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Bolt’s Innovative Accelerator Program.
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