In a country long reliant on diamonds, a new kind of resource, innovation, took center stage as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kuo Sharper Center and the Government of Botswana hosted the first Demo Day of their Early-Stage Program.
The event, held in collaboration with the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub, marked a turning point in the nation’s effort to move toward a knowledge-based economy. Officials described it as part of a broader plan to diversify Botswana’s growth through research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
More than 1,300 people applied to the program, from which 31 entrepreneurs were selected. Over 12 weeks, they worked with MIT faculty and African business leaders to refine ideas in agriculture, mining, health, digital services, and climate resilience — sectors central to Botswana’s economic transition.
Their pitches drew a distinguished audience, including the country’s vice president and finance minister, Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, investors, and regional innovation leaders.
“This partnership — between Government, MIT, and the Innovation Hub — sits at the heart of the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP),” Mr. Gaolathe said. “The BETP is not just a policy document; it is our national design for growth, diversification, and competitiveness. Through its Model Lab approach, we bring together government, private sector, academia, and civil society to co-create solutions, test them rapidly, and scale what works. What we are celebrating tonight is a living embodiment of that process — an innovation laboratory that converts bold ideas into tangible impact.”
A panel of judges — including investors and executives from Launch Africa Ventures, Acumen Property Group, and Debswana — evaluated the ventures, offering feedback and highlighting projects they believed could scale beyond Botswana’s borders.
“This Demo Day is more than a showcase of ventures — it’s a demonstration of what becomes possible when world-class knowledge is paired with investment, strong policy, local talent and coordinated support,” said Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center. “The energy and innovation we’ve seen in this first cohort reinforces our commitment to Botswana and its journey toward becoming a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.”
The event closed the first phase of a partnership that aims to link research and enterprise across Africa. Later this year, the Kuo Sharper Center will launch a Deep Tech Program in Gaborone, targeting scientists developing frontier technologies, followed by a Growth Stage Program in Nairobi for entrepreneurs scaling their ventures.