How to Apply for the Timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2
The timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2 is designed for early-stage innovators developing artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled solutions.
The programme is open to both individuals and teams. Selected innovators will receive AI technical training, entrepreneurship support, mentorship and access to the wider timbuktoo network to help develop and advance their solutions.
Opportunity Snapshot
- Programme: timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2
- Application Status: Open
- Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
- Who Can Apply: Early-stage AI and AI-enabled solution innovators
- Application Type: Individuals and teams
- Pitch Deck: Not required
- Programme Focus: AI innovation, technical skills, entrepreneurship, product development and market readiness
- Entrepreneurship Training: Wadhwani’s 14-week entrepreneurship programme
- AI Course: MIT AI course
- Bootcamp: Opportunity to participate in an in-person bootcamp in Addis Ababa
What Is the timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme?
The timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme is an innovation programme for early-stage innovators building AI and AI-enabled solutions.
The programme is designed to help selected innovators strengthen their technical capabilities, develop their solutions and gain entrepreneurship knowledge relevant to taking products to market.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate real ideas, real code and a strong drive to build. A pitch deck is not required.
Is This Programme Right for You?
You should apply if you:
- Are developing an early-stage AI or AI-enabled solution.
- Have a real idea that you are actively developing.
- Have real code to demonstrate your work.
- Are ready to develop and test your solution further.
- Are interested in strengthening your AI technical capabilities.
- Want to develop your entrepreneurship and product development skills.
- Are applying as an individual or as part of a team.
Female innovators are especially encouraged to apply.
What Will You Actually Do?
Selected innovators will receive structured support to develop and advance their AI solutions.
The programme will provide opportunities to:
- Strengthen AI technical capabilities.
- Develop and advance AI solutions.
- Participate in entrepreneurship training.
- Learn about customer discovery.
- Develop business models.
- Learn how to take products to market.
- Prepare for investment opportunities.
- Work with technical mentors.
- Connect with the wider timbuktoo network.
What Do You Get From the Programme?
MIT AI Course
Selected innovators will have access to an AI course from MIT.
AI Technical Skilling
Participants will receive AI technical skilling designed to strengthen their technical capabilities.
Structured Innovation Support
Selected innovators will receive structured support to develop and advance their AI solutions.
Wadhwani’s 14-Week Entrepreneurship Programme
Participants will have access to Wadhwani’s 14-week entrepreneurship programme covering:
- Customer discovery
- Business modelling
- Taking products to market
- Investment readiness
Technical Mentorship
Participants will have access to technical mentors who can support the development of their solutions.
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timbuktoo Network
Selected innovators will gain access to the wider timbuktoo network.
In-Person Bootcamp
Selected innovators will have an opportunity to participate in an in-person bootcamp in Addis Ababa.
What You Need Before Applying
Before applying, applicants should have:
- An early-stage AI or AI-enabled solution.
- A real idea they are developing.
- Real code demonstrating their work.
- The capacity and willingness to build and test their solution.
A pitch deck is not required for the application.
How to Apply for the timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme
Interested innovators should complete the online application form before the application deadline.
Step 1: Access the Application Form
Visit the online application form.
Step 2: Provide the Required Information
Complete the application form with the information requested.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Review your application and submit it before the deadline.
Apply here
How to Make Your Application Stand Out
Applicants should clearly demonstrate their actual AI or AI-enabled solution and provide evidence of their ability to build.
Since a pitch deck is not required, applicants should focus on presenting their real idea, real code and capacity to build and test their solution.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
- Applications are currently open.
- The application deadline is 30 October 2026.
- The programme accepts both individuals and teams.
- Applicants should be developing early-stage AI or AI-enabled solutions.
- A pitch deck is not required.
- Applicants should demonstrate real ideas and real code.
- Female innovators are especially encouraged to apply.
- The programme includes access to an MIT AI course.
- The programme includes AI technical skilling.
- Wadhwani’s entrepreneurship programme lasts 14 weeks.
- The programme provides access to technical mentors and the wider timbuktoo network.
- Selected innovators may have an opportunity to participate in an in-person bootcamp in Addis Ababa.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2 is 30 October 2026.
Applicants should complete and submit their applications before the deadline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme?
It is a programme for early-stage innovators developing AI and AI-enabled solutions.
Who can apply for the programme?
Early-stage innovators developing AI or AI-enabled solutions can apply. Applications are open to both individuals and teams.
Is a pitch deck required?
No. A pitch deck is not required.
What should applicants demonstrate?
Applicants should demonstrate real ideas, real code and a strong drive to build.
What does the programme provide?
Selected innovators will receive access to an MIT AI course, AI technical skilling, structured support, entrepreneurship training, technical mentorship and the wider timbuktoo network.
How long is the Wadhwani entrepreneurship programme?
The Wadhwani entrepreneurship programme lasts 14 weeks.
What does the Wadhwani entrepreneurship programme cover?
It covers customer discovery, business modelling, taking products to market and investment readiness.
Is there an in-person component?
Selected innovators will have an opportunity to participate in an in-person bootcamp in Addis Ababa.
Are female innovators encouraged to apply?
Yes. Female innovators are especially encouraged to apply.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 30 October 2026.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is intended for early-stage innovators developing AI or AI-enabled solutions who have real ideas, real code and the capacity to build and test their solutions.
Both individuals and teams can apply, and female innovators are especially encouraged to apply.
Conclusion
The timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2 provides early-stage AI innovators with technical skilling, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and access to the wider timbuktoo network.
Interested innovators should complete the online application form before 30 October 2026.
Idris Abdulazeez is a chief editor at Edulify, where he writes about scholarships, jobs, internships, and Nigerian education news. He is passionate about helping students and graduates discover valuable opportunities and useful information. Idris also engages with readers through comments and is available to connect via direct message.