Business Education Grounded in the Next Step Series
A curriculum built for African realities — not imported textbooks. The Next Step Series equips entrepreneurs with practical business skills anchored in faith-driven principles and real-world application.
The Next Step Series
The Backbone of Every Mazano Program
The Next Step Series is Mazano's foundational curriculum — a book series designed specifically for African entrepreneurs navigating high-uncertainty environments. Each volume addresses a critical stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from first idea to sustainable scale.
Unlike imported MBA frameworks that assume stable markets and abundant capital, the Next Step Series is built around the realities of operating in Africa: currency volatility, infrastructure gaps, informal markets, and community-centered business models.
Curriculum Modules
Business Foundations
Business model design, customer discovery, value proposition, and financial literacy. Building on solid ground before anything else.
Weeks 1–4Growth & Operations
Marketing strategy, sales execution, supply chain management, and operational efficiency. Moving from idea to traction.
Weeks 5–8Capital & Networks
Fundraising strategy, investor readiness, pitch development, financial projections, and ecosystem navigation. Getting funded.
Weeks 9–12Sustainability & Impact
Impact measurement, long-term planning, scaling strategy, team building, and faith-driven stewardship. Building to last.
Weeks 13–16How We Teach
Bi-Weekly Workshops
Live sessions covering each module topic, facilitated by mentors and subject-matter experts. Interactive, not lecture-based — founders work on their own businesses in real time.
Peer Learning Circles
Weekly small-group sessions of 3-4 founders for accountability, peer feedback, and problem-solving. Entrepreneurs learn as much from each other as from any textbook.
1:1 Mentorship
Every participant is matched with a dedicated mentor for monthly one-on-one sessions. Personalized guidance on strategy, challenges, and growth from someone who's built before.
Built for Africa. Not Adapted from Silicon Valley.
African Context, Not Imported Frameworks
Case studies, financial models, and strategies designed for high-inflation, infrastructure-limited, informal-market economies.
Faith-Integrated Principles
Biblical stewardship, servant leadership, and generosity woven into every module — not as an add-on, but as the foundation of good business.
Learn by Doing
Every workshop applies directly to the founder's own business. No hypothetical exercises — real customers, real revenue, real impact from day one.
Codified & Licensable
The Next Step curriculum is documented, structured, and designed to be licensed to other incubators, churches, and training organizations across Africa.
Programs
Next Step Bootcamp
- + 10-week intensive for early-stage startups
- + Quarterly cohort intake (10-15 entrepreneurs)
- + In-person at Mazano Hub or remote via video
- + Covers all 4 curriculum modules
- + Micro-grant eligibility upon completion
- + 1:1 mentor matching included
Manufacturing & Tech Accelerator
- + Prototyping, development, and scaling support
- + Access to the Mazano Manufacturing Lab
- + Hands-on skill development in manufacturing & tech
- + Quarterly Demo Day investor showcase
- + Angel investor and VC introductions
- + Advanced modules on scaling and sustainability
What You'll Walk Away With
Validated Business Model
A tested model with real customer feedback, not theoretical frameworks
Financial Projections
Investor-ready financials built for African market realities
Pitch Deck
A polished pitch deck refined through mentor feedback and practice sessions
Growth Playbook
Marketing, sales, and ops plan tailored to your sector and market
Mentor Relationship
An ongoing connection with an experienced mentor in your industry
Peer Network
A cohort of fellow founders who become lifelong collaborators and accountability partners
Investor Access
Demo Day stage time and warm introductions to aligned investors
Micro-Grant Eligibility
Cohort grants $2K–$5K; graduate scale grants up to $50K — all non-dilutive, milestone-gated
Curriculum Licensing
Bring Mazano's Curriculum to Your Organization
The Next Step Series is designed to be licensed to other incubators, churches, universities, and training organizations. If you run a program that serves African entrepreneurs, you can adopt the Mazano framework without building from scratch.
Full curriculum materials — slides, exercises, facilitator guides
Train-the-trainer support for your facilitation team
Ongoing updates as the curriculum evolves
Join a network of Mazano-licensed programs across Africa
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Join Mazano's next cohort and build your business on a foundation designed for African realities, faith-driven values, and real-world impact.