SEVENBITLABS

COLLABORATE / OPEN ECOSYSTEM

Some things are better built with other people.

Sevenbitlabs is at an early stage. We are looking for thoughtful people and organisations who care about the same questions and want to shape the work, not simply attach their name to it.

01 / Partner paths

Four kinds of conversation we would welcome.

There is no formal programme, application round, or fellowship yet. For now, every possible collaboration starts with a straightforward conversation.

01 / PARTNER PATH

Universities

Why collaborate
Bring together people who know different parts of the same problem and grow more research capacity here.
Possible forms
Shared research questions, joint studies, exchanges, supervision, and, later, fellowships.
What happens next
Tell us the question, who needs to be involved, and what each institution could genuinely contribute.
Start this conversation

02 / PARTNER PATH

Startups and Industry

Why collaborate
Turn good evidence into useful tools and test technology where it will actually be used.
Possible forms
Applied research, validation studies, prototypes, reproducibility work, and careful deployment planning.
What happens next
Lead with the problem and what is still unknown, rather than a finished product brief.
Start this conversation

03 / PARTNER PATH

Governments and NGOs

Why collaborate
Build evidence that can make public services, policy, and infrastructure work better for people.
Possible forms
Policy research, programme evaluation, public-interest technology, field research, and shared learning.
What happens next
Explain the public need, who it affects, what decision the work could inform, and what safeguards matter.
Start this conversation

04 / PARTNER PATH

Global Research Networks

Why collaborate
Work on questions that cross borders without treating Africa as a source of data or an afterthought.
Possible forms
Research networks, comparative studies, shared methods, exchanges, and open infrastructure.
What happens next
Be clear about who sets the agenda and how authorship, funding, data, and credit will be shared.
Start this conversation

02 / Funding + support

Help turn the ambition into a working lab.

Early support would help us build the foundations properly: choose strong questions, bring in the right people, create responsible processes, and make useful work public. We are interested in funders who understand that good institutions take time.

Discuss support Read the funding model

03 / Your first note

Keep it simple and specific.