Yes. It is a pre-requirement that you have a Live WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) before the commencement of the Accelerator. Turn.io can assist with onboarding if needed. Applicants for the programme should have an existing digital service (not necessarily AI-powered).
We prefer organizations with a live WhatsApp Business Account and are ready or have the ability to scale via WhatsApp.
The Chat for Impact Accelerator exclusively targets the development of services for the WhatsApp Business Platform (API).
Certainly not, but we need to be confident that you have a committed and agile team with a suitable starting point and the tenacity and ability to iterate and learn. You will receive input during the 8-week accelerator to help you grow and achieve your goals. We are interested in why you are the right team to support and invest in.
No, but we prefer organizations with the most significant impact and that operate in countries where WhatsApp is socially well-adopted and actively used.
It does not matter how many languages you operate in, but it matters that your program has a clear roadmap on who it is serving and why you are doing it in specific languages.
No, both small and big, tech-savvy or new-to-digital organizations can use WhatsApp successfully. You must have a strong business case/theory of change for using digital messaging such as WhatsApp.
However applicants for the programme should have an existing digital service (not necessarily AI-powered).
The ideal combination is a business lead (i.e. a team member with a strategic focus and decision-making ability) and a technical lead (i.e. an operational, hands-on team member responsible for implementing your service).
Yes, organizations are encouraged to have a core team of at least two members for consistent attendance, but you can invite additional team members to specific sessions as needed.
Apart from the time commitment explained above, you will require a computer with internet access and sufficient data to attend all virtual sessions on a conference tool such as Zoom. Ideally, your connection and data will allow you to attend the sessions with your video on.
It is a selection criteria to have a live WABA account. So please note that your application will only be selected if you have an existing WABA. If a WhatsApp service is not a strategic objective for your organization for 2024, then there will be other opportunities to apply for another accelerator when your organization is ready.
The Chat for Impact Accelerator exclusively targets the development of services for the WhatsApp Business Platform (API).
For organizations engaging with a large number of users, leveraging the WhatsApp Business API alongside Turn.io can optimize and enhance chat messaging. This Accelerator is designed to assist you in efficiently planning, automating, personalizing, and managing your messaging, enabling more meaningful conversations as you scale.
Business Service Providers (BSPs) are third-party solution providers with expertise in the WhatsApp Business API. BSPs, like Turn.io, can help you communicate with your customers on WhatsApp for the approved use cases of customer support and time-sensitive, personalized notifications.
Turn.io is hosting the Chat for GenAI Accelerator, and you will receive a Turn License for the duration of the Accelerator. All hands-on sessions and the building of your chatbot will be on the Turn.io platform. For this purpose, you must use Turn.io as your Business Solution Provider (BSP) after the Accelerator.
The WhatsApp Business API powers communication with users worldwide so that you can connect with them on WhatsApp in a simple, secure, and reliable way.
The WhatsApp Business API is a paid product. However, as part of the Accelerator, you will be granted a subsidized license for up to 6 months; further use of the API may result in monthly fees and/or messaging fees.
WhatsApp is designed for simple, secure and reliable messaging. This includes one-on-one communication and chatbots with a clear escalation path to a human. Please refer to the WhatsApp Commerce Policy and WhatsApp Business Policy to familiarise yourself with the types of messages that are and are not allowed on the WhatsApp Business API.
We may or may not do this in the future again. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with Accelerator news.
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Unfortunately if you are an Accelerator Alumni, your application will not be considered.
Yes, you are welcome to apply.
Ideal applicants are social impact organizations working in health, education and economic mobility with a well-defined theory of change or business case. They should be committed to leveraging AI to support a secure, private, personalized WhatsApp chat service. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to building real-world chat applications and possess the organizational capacity to participate in the accelerator programme and sustain the chat service long-term. Applicants for the program should have an existing digital service (not necessarily AI-powered).
There is no straightforward answer to this question as there are various factors, and the program is highly competitive, e.g. if you didn’t answer all the questions or did not follow the application guidelines.
Nothing stops you from applying for a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) through any Business Service Provider (BSP), including Turn.io, or from starting to use the WhatsApp Business App.
Furthermore, if we host another Chat for Impact Accelerator and Summit, you are welcome to apply again.
You will receive email communication from us on whether you were successful or not. However, we will not provide detailed feedback on why your application was successful or unsuccessful.
All applications received by midnight on the 31st of March 2024 will be considered.