Jesse Pollak, the head of Base, just dropped an exciting update on X about the Base Founders Fellowship Africa. Due to overwhelming demand, they've extended the application deadline to September 26, 2025. This program is a game-changer for African founders building onchain projects, and yes, that includes those diving into the wild world of meme tokens.

If you're not familiar, Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase, known for its low fees and scalability – perfect for meme coins that thrive on community hype and quick transactions. The fellowship aims to supercharge founders who are already making waves in the crypto space.

Diving into the Fellowship Details

The Based Founders Fellowship Africa (BFF Africa) is a two-week immersion program set for October 22 to 30, 2025, right in Nairobi, Kenya. It's not your typical online course; this is hands-on, in-real-life (IRL) stuff where founders live, learn, build, and network with top builders and investors.

The program focuses on venture growth, builder support, and ends with a Demo Day where you pitch to global venture capitalists (VCs). Post-program, there's ongoing support like mentor access, investor intros, and scaling resources. Sponsored by Base and organized with partners like UTU Technologies, it's tailored for founders ready to level up their onchain ventures.

Who Can Apply and How?

To qualify, your project needs to check these boxes:

• At least 1,000 onchain users.
• Serving the African market.
• Deployed onchain, with a preference for Base (but open to others willing to integrate).
• Your team is fundraising.
• You can commit to the 10-day IRL program in Nairobi.
• Bonus if you're "BASED" – meaning aligned with Base's ethos of building accessible, decentralized tech.

Team sizes are small, from 1 to 5 members, and verticals like prediction markets, stablecoins, onchain identity, AI-integrated smart contracts, and even DAOs or meme-driven reward systems are encouraged. If your meme token has real community traction and solves a fun problem (or just memes hard), this could be your ticket.

Applications are open until September 26, 2025. Head over to the official page on Devfolio for more details and to apply. The process is straightforward, but make sure to highlight your onchain metrics and how Base fits into your vision.

Why This Matters for Meme Tokens

Base has become a hotspot for meme tokens, with projects like Brett and Toshi gaining massive traction thanks to the chain's efficiency and Coinbase integration. For African founders, this fellowship opens doors to capital and expertise that can turn a viral meme into a sustainable ecosystem.

Imagine pitching your Africa-inspired meme token – maybe one that gamifies local culture or rewards community engagement – to top VCs. The direct capital matching and growth unlocks could help scale user bases, integrate more onchain features, and avoid common pitfalls like rug pulls or liquidity issues. It's about turning memes into meaningful blockchain innovations.

Community Buzz and Reactions

The announcement sparked immediate excitement on X, with replies flooding in from builders and meme enthusiasts alike. Some highlighted meme projects on Base, like $CGUY and $Mkong, seeing the fellowship as a way to amplify Africa's role in the global crypto scene. Others asked about expansions to other regions, showing Base's growing international appeal.

One user noted, "Africa fellowship? 🌍 Big moves from @base Perfect timing too — culture’s already alive here $CGUY cult on BASE = global noise🛸🟦" – capturing the vibe of how memes and culture intersect on Base.

If you're an African founder in the meme space, this is your cue. The extension gives more time to polish your application and rally your community. Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more updates on how programs like this are shaping the future of meme tokens on blockchain. What's your take – will this spark the next big African meme wave? Drop your thoughts below!