APSI: The First Incubator for Publishing Start-ups in Africa and the Caribbean
Origin of the Project:
APSI is a dynamic hub dedicated to the growth of publishing businesses in Africa and the Caribbean. Our mission is to catalyse innovation and development in the publishing sector by providing strategic and operational support to promising start-ups.
This project marks the first concrete step in the plan to ‘professionalise the book sector in Africa(s)’, initiated by the African Observatory of Publishing Professionals during the Yaoundé International Children’s Book and Comics Fair (2023).
This initiative is invaluable in its goal to support young entrepreneurs in the book sector in both Africa and the Caribbean. The creation of this incubator directly addresses the needs expressed by these stakeholders, providing them with the essential skills and resources needed to overcome the challenges they face.
Thanks to this incubator, these entrepreneurs will benefit from personalised support, training tailored to their specific needs, and access to a broader professional network. This will not only strengthen their entrepreneurial skills but also foster the development and sustainability of their businesses in an environment as challenging as that of publishing in the Global South. This initiative also aims to highlight the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders in the book industry, whether established professionals or young entrepreneurs. By joining forces, they can work together to overcome obstacles and create a more conducive environment for innovation and growth in publishing across our respective countries.
Our Objectives:
- Stimulating Innovation: We believe in the power of innovation and professionalisation to transform the publishing landscape in developing countries. We seek out and support start-ups that are rethinking the storytelling, distribution, and consumption of content through innovative and creative solutions.
- Encouraging a Diversity of Voices: Africa is a continent rich in stories and perspectives. Our goal is to support young companies that celebrate this diversity by providing a platform for voices that are often under-represented in the publishing world.
- Strengthening Entrepreneurial Skills: We offer personalised support to editorial entrepreneurs, helping them to develop their skills in business management, graphic design, marketing strategy, financial management, and much more.
- Facilitating Access to the Market: We establish strategic partnerships with distributors, bookstores, online platforms, and other key players in the industry to help our start-ups gain easier access to local, regional, and international markets.
Our Action Plan:
- Rigorous Selection: We identify and select the most promising start-ups through a rigorous application process, focusing on the originality of the concept, growth potential, and social impact.
- Customised Incubation: Once selected, start-ups benefit from a tailored incubation programme, which includes one-to-one mentoring, training sessions, access to specialist resources, and a collaborative workspace.
- Access to Finance: We facilitate access to initial financing through our network of investors.
- Networking and Partnerships: We encourage collaboration between the start-ups in our incubator and create networking opportunities with industry professionals, sector experts, and other entrepreneurs.
