CatalyzU into Startups

Business Development Fellowship

NEXT COHORT

October 2024

DURATION

6 Weeks

APPLICATIONS OPEN

SEPTEMBER 2024

TUITION

$800

FORMAT

Online

About this course

Our Business Development course provides an informative guide on landing into a business development role within a startup or larger organization. It provides students with the context they operate within, how to achieve success, and how to measure it. The course builds up to a live case study in which students make a sale to a prospective client.

Learning outcome

The course is best suited for those having just started working or wanting to work within business development. The primary learning outcome is to allow learners to understand where they fit into the greater organization and how best to align their success with the organization’s.

Alumni Support Ecosystem

Following on from completion of the fellowship, all successful alumni will be eligible to join the esteemed Young African Catalyst network made up of the largest VC firms across the continent.

Curriculum

Grading

To earn a certificate, students must attend 80% of sessions and achieve a passing grade on the case study. Students can appeal a not passed grade. Rubrics will be provided with every assignment to help students understand what each grade requires. Assignments submitted after the deadline will not be considered. All assignments must be a pure reflection of your own understanding and effort.

 

Course Requirements

  • Stable internet connection
  • Availability to join synchronous, online lectures
  • Diligence to submit assignments and quizzes before the due date
  • No prior knowledge required in Venture Capital

Course Delivery

The course is delivered over ten ±2 hour sessions across five weeks. This translates into up to four hours of scheduled sessions per week which is delivered virtually. The sessions are not recorded and are delivered live requiring you to attend each session. Attendance at 80% of sessions counts towards successful completion of the course.

 

FAQ

When will I hear back from CatalyzU?
  • Typically within 10 days of applying as applications are processed on a rolling basis.
  • Note considering the rolling acceptance process and our limited capacity, applying early is beneficial.
What is a Young African Catalyst?
  • A Young African Catalyst is a member of our esteemed CatalyzU Alumni Community. By way of characteristics, it is a young leader in the African startup & venture ecosystem.
  • At inception, CatalyzeU (formerly Young African Catalysts) focussed on individuals within the Venture Capital ecosystem that were under the age of 35, operating on the continent and catalyzing investment to startups. YAC connected VCs with one another to support their day to day function. Moving forward, YAC will do this for YACs in the entire venture ecosystem. 
  • During our pilot, this was restricted to the VC ecosystem. It has now been expanded to our continent’s entire startup & venture ecosystem.
  • All graduates from a CatalyzU Fellowship program (such as CatalyzU into Venture Capital – Fundamentals) are admitted in the CatalyzU Alumni Ecosystem and awarded Young African Catalysts status.
Do you offer scholarships / financial aid?
  • We offer need-based financial aid on a case-by-case basis. This process is determined post a candidate’s acceptance into the fellowship. 
  • The fundamentals edition of the CatalyzU Venture Capital Fellowship has a maximum scholarship of 20% of the total tuition fee. In other words, a candidate can receive a $100 scholarship, and would then owe $400’s in tuition to be paid ahead of the first day of lectures.
  • We are working with Corporates for additional scholarships to the above – keep an eye on our socials for more! 
How much time is required per week?

Approximately 8 hours per week

Do you guarantee a job in the startup & venture ecosystem for graduates?
No, but our success rate currently stands at around 50% of graduates within the first 6 weeks post-graduation.