The Dot offers a variety of support programs for startups. It has a significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. Its ambition is to become the spearhead of the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Dot is a Tunisian digital innovation hub supported by Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement, an NGO that promotes socioeconomic development in Tunisia. Launched in January 2021 as part of a public-private partnership, it aims to federate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, support innovation and digital transformation, and strengthen ties between Tunisia and Africa.The innovation hub is headed by Zeineb Messaoud, a business developer and entrepreneurial program designer. It offers free programs and services to entrepreneurs, innovative project leaders, and companies wishing to expand into the African market.These include Dot Camp, a mentoring program that selects 37 innovative startups in the seed phase each year. It offers a year’s free accommodation, privileged access to other programs offered by The Dot, and networking and business opportunities.The hub also provides a free resource center called Dot Services. This center features event rooms, a space for exchanging and sharing with a community of innovators, open-plan offices, and computers equipped with a range of creative and editing software. It also provides a studio equipped for podcast creation and audiovisual equipment.Its support program Dot Landing is tailored for entrepreneurs within the Tunisian diaspora and foreign companies looking to establish a presence in Tunisia or forge partnerships and business connections across various sectors in the country. The free 4-month program provides intensive coaching to entrepreneurs. Beyond its structured programs, The Dot aspires to serve as a hub for interaction, knowledge-sharing, and learning among diverse stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization regularly organizes events, workshops, training sessions, hackathons, conferences, and competitions designed to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration.The Dot has already supported several companies. These include 3D Wave, which specializes in 3D printing and digitization, the online business management platform Iberis, the interactive educational platform ClassQuiz and the Cynoia platform, which aggregates communication and collaboration tools on a single platform. For its activities, it is supported by Expertise France, GIZ, and Smart Tunisia, among other partners.Melchior Koba