Deadline: December 1, 2025
Applications are open for the Carnegie Mellon University Africa TechSkills Marketplace Program 2026. The TechSkills Marketplace Program connects African startups with top CMU-Africa student talent to solve real-world technical challenges while nurturing future-ready innovators. Through this program, startups gain access to skilled interns in areas such as AI, data science, software engineering, and product development, while contributing to hands-on learning that drives Africa’s digital transformation.
Benefits
- Access to high-performing CMU-Africa graduate interns
- A co-funded internship model where CMU-Africa supports part of the stipend cost
- Access and visibility to CMU-Africa’s Innovation Hub partner network and innovation ecosystem
- An opportunity to nurture talent while scaling impactful solutions
Eligibility
They are seeking impact-driven startups that are:
- Registered and operational in Africa (with a clear business model or product in development)
- Able to co-fund the internship
- Able to provide projects focused on technology or digital innovation such as developing a digital platform, enhancing data systems, improving product design, or building AI-driven solutions etc
- Committed to mentorship and collaboration, providing a supportive environment for graduate student interns
- Open to remote or hybrid engagement models with interns from CMU-Africa
Application
Key Dates
- January-February 2026: Startup and MSME selection
- March-May 2026: Matching and onboarding
- June 2026: Internships begin
For more information, visit TechSkills Marketplace Program.
