Organization · Incubator
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu)
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is an innovation and incubation hub located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 2015, it supports young entrepreneurs and innovators through various programs and services aimed at fostering sustainable development.
Overview
What Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) does
What Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is an innovation and incubation hub located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 2015, it supports young entrepreneurs and innovators through various programs and services aimed at fostering sustainable development.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) as a funder
Investment thesis
Cinolu is dedicated to catalyzing entrepreneurial and technological potential in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship for social impact.
Focus narrative
Cinolu invests in and provides services related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) in developing sustainable and inclusive solutions. They implement programs aimed at gender and youth empowerment, civic technology, and entrepreneurial training.
Value beyond capital
Cinolu provides a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs, including training, resources, and networking opportunities to foster innovation and sustainable business practices.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- AfricaLatin America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
Cinolu has implemented various programs since its inception, including F360, focused on gender and inclusion; Ushindi, an incubator and entrepreneurial cohort program; Ushaidi, aimed at youth and creativity; and Uvumbuzi, focused on research and innovation.
Capability profile
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) as a program host
Program thesis
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is dedicated to catalyzing entrepreneurial and technological potential in the region, acting as a one-stop shop to connect talents to opportunities through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship for social impact.
Focus narrative
Cinolu invests in and provides services related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) in developing sustainable and inclusive solutions. They implement programs aimed at gender and youth empowerment, civic technology, and entrepreneurial training.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Social NetworksCivic Tech
- Regions
- Africa · Global · Latam
Capability profile
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) as a community
Community overview
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is an innovation, incubation, and support space founded in 2015, located in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. The organization is dedicated to catalyzing entrepreneurial and technological potential in the region, acting as a one-stop shop to connect talents to opportunities through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship for social impact.
Community focus
Cinolu invests in and provides services related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) in developing sustainable and inclusive solutions. They implement programs aimed at gender and youth empowerment, civic technology, and entrepreneurial training.
Member value
Members benefit from access to various programs aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact, including training workshops, networking opportunities, and support for gender and youth empowerment.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 3, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students · Corporate Innovators
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- incubator, community, and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Africa
Community activity
- Annual events
- 7
Events and activity
Cinolu hosts various events, including the Bintishare Meet-up series discussing economic barriers to entrepreneurship, the Célébration 10 Ans De Cinolu celebrating a decade of impact, and the annual Lubumbashi Fashion Week promoting local talent. Other events include training workshops for cultural entrepreneurs and intensive entrepreneurial training programs.
Capability profile
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) as an event host
Event focus
Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) is dedicated to supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) in developing sustainable and inclusive solutions. Their programs focus on gender and youth empowerment, civic technology, and entrepreneurial training.
Format narrative
Cinolu hosts a variety of events and programs aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. These include meet-ups, workshops, and celebrations that engage the community and promote local talent.
Participant value
Attendees benefit from networking opportunities, access to entrepreneurial training, and insights into overcoming barriers in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly for women and youth.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup, workshop, and dinner-series
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 3, 2026
- Next event location
- Lubumbashi
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Students · Corporate Innovators
- Sectors
- Social NetworksCivic Tech
- Regions
- AfricaLatin America
Speakers and past editions
Past editions
Cinolu has hosted numerous impactful events, including the Bintishare Meet-ups addressing economic barriers to entrepreneurship, the celebration of their 10th anniversary, and the annual Lubumbashi Fashion Week promoting local creativity.
Common questions
What to know about Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu)
Upseed classifies Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (Cinolu) under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.