Resilience17, formerly Berrywood, is a rebranded venture fund, studio, and fund founded by Flutterwave’s CEO Olugbenga GB Agboola. It has launched a new AI accelerator, Go Time AI. This accelerator supports African startups developing artificial intelligence products. The venture studio, which was originally launched in 2021 under the name Berrywood, will provide up to $200,000 of funding and mentorship for selected startups in exchange for an 8% ownership stake.
In 2024, the first cohort of Go Time AI, an accelerator, was launched. It provided participating startups with financial assistance, technical resources, as well as guidance from industry experts. Startups selected for Go Time AI will receive up $200K in funding, starting with an initial $25,000 and up to $175,000 per subsequent round. The program offers cloud computing credits and APIs to help develop, test and scale AI products.
Despite the challenges that will be highlighted in 2024 Nigeria is poised for continued leadership as a global hub of technology and can lead in AI. Go Time AI was launched to prove this thesis. “After the last four months of working closely with the first cohort of AI companies that conviction has only grown stronger,” said Hasan Luongo.
As AI dominates the global discourse, African founders work to carve their place in the sector. Access to capital, infrastructure and technical expertise is still a challenge. The accelerator will help bridge this gap by providing funding, mentoring, and resources for African startups to build and scale competitive AI-based products. The launch of Go Time Accelerator
comes after Iyin Aboyeji and Mia von Koschitzky Kimani, founders of the VC firm Future Africa and Accelerate Africa – an accelerator modeled to be the YC of Africa – launched Accelerate Africa. The launch of the accelerator comes also after Massimiliano Spalazzi – former Jumia Nigeria CEO – and Olumide Sokombo a Nigerian Angel Investor launched JADA a data & Analytics talent hub for companies around the world to access AI talent on the continent.
Go Time AI admitted five startup companies into its first cohort last year. The five startups that presented their pitches during its demo day in Jan 2025 include: Tyms, an AI accounting software for small business, AI Teacha, an AI powered tool to help teachers with lesson plans, presentations, and developing learning materials, and FriendNPal, a 24/7 mental healthcare AI companion and live-therapy platform, are all examples of AI-powered tools. The selected startups received $25,000 upfront, and will receive up to $175,000 in two subsequent rounds. Resilience17, the accelerator’s fund pool of $35 million, is used instead. It has no set cohort size, and is open to accepting additional startups.
This accelerator starts with a kickoff in Lagos and then a four-month mentorship program. Participants gather every two weeks for Demo Nights where they can showcase their progress and get feedback from investors, mentors and peers.
An important part of the accelerator program is Office Hours. During these sessions, founders have in-depth discussions about critical aspects of their startup. These sessions cover product strategy, technical development, and growth tactics. Founders are given direct guidance by industry experts and entrepreneurs who have real-world experience.
The first cohort of founders were taught by experts such as Wiza Jalakasi of EBanx, Olusola Amusan who is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Vesti, Samee Zahid from Chippercasj, Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu from Flutterwave, and many more.
Our goal was not to teach the founders how to run their company, but to narrowly focus on the things we believe are the most important for any early stage company. Luongo said that the goal was to create a world-class product experience, and get users to the point where they can see the value of the product.
Go Time AI has a great start. Participating founders confirm that it delivered on the promise to sharpen their storytelling and refine financial models, improve product thinking, connect them with corporations and investors. Applications for the next cohort will be open in May 2025.
