Open Start Up Tunisia is a Tunisia-based entrepreneurial program designed for students and fresh graduates, in partnership with Columbia Engineering, Columbia Business School, Ministère de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche scientifique, les Centres de Carrières et de Certification des Compétences, US Embassy, Fondation BIAT pour la Jeunesse, Africinvest, Columbia Global Centers Tunis, Columbia Global Centers Amman, drosos, Flat6Labs, TunisianStartups.

Accelerator Vs. Incubator Vs. Pre-Incubator
The major difference between an accelerator and an incubator is that an accelerator aims to accelerate an existing business, whereas, an incubator aims to turn great, innovative ideas into a business.
So, accelerators generally focus on scaling a business while incubators focus on innovation. If it’s a pre-accelerator or pre-incubators, they aim to prepare companies or prospective founders for the next steps.
OST PRE-INCUBATOR
It is the first pre-incubator that mainly focuses on youth: students and fresh graduates. The program, delivered in 12 weeks, is co-designed with Columbia Engineering and Business Schools.
It is a hands-on learning experience that helps you build your startup and provides you with all the necessary support.

OST offers access to a strong network of national and international partners, experts and an incredible community that enlightens your journey.
Throughout its multiple partnerships, the program also helps connect to the main stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Team:
Apply as a Startup: Solo founders with a promising startup or teams of at least two members who are working on their startup. Application link.
- Potential of the idea
- Strong team complementarity
- Motivation
- English proficiency
- Availability to attend the trainings and the program main events

Individual:
One can apply as a Solo Talent: Someone with a pertinent skill who can contribute to a team and will be matched with a startup during the program. Application link.
- Strong skills in a specific field to help support an existing team
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Motivation
- Openness to join a current team
- Availability to attend the trainings and the program main events
Learn more about OST: Open Startup Tunisia.
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