The verdict in three sentences
An incubator or coworking space concentrates a unique pipeline: 10 to 30 startups that all need a site at launch. A pooled referral partnership turns that flow into shared revenue, with a bundled company-formation + website offer. At Kolonell commissions (15% showcase + 5% recurring), 20 startups referred at 500,000 FCFA generate 1,500,000 FCFA over the year.
A captive, recurring pipeline
Unlike a lone referrer, an incubator sees new startups arrive every quarter. Each cohort is a predictable referral flow. And since a site is one of a young company's first reflexes, the need is almost systematic.
| Partner structure | Startups / yr | Share needing site | Average ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small coworking | 10 to 15 | 70% | 400,000 FCFA |
| Regional incubator | 15 to 25 | 80% | 500,000 FCFA |
| Accelerator | 20 to 40 | 90% | 700,000 FCFA |
| Tech hub / campus | 30 to 60 | 75% | 500,000 FCFA |
| Entrepreneurship program | 40 to 100 | 60% | 350,000 FCFA |
Figures are 2026 orders of magnitude, varying by program.
Partnership models and pooled commission
The partnership can take several forms depending on the structure's involvement. The more actively it prescribes, the higher the volume — and thus cumulative commission — climbs.
| Partnership model | Typical volume / yr | Commission per site | Annual commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple recommendation | 5 startups | 75,000 FCFA | 375,000 FCFA |
| Bundled integrated offer | 15 startups | 75,000 FCFA | 1,125,000 FCFA |
| Exclusive official partner | 20 startups | 75,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 FCFA |
| Accelerator program | 30 startups | 75,000 FCFA | 2,250,000 FCFA |
The 5% recurring on delivered-site maintenance adds up and accumulates cohort after cohort, creating a baseline income that grows every year.
The Kolonell referrer program
The partnership has no entry fee and no forced exclusivity. The structure can also bundle the site into its support offer, which enhances its program for startups.
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| Segment | Signature commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15% | 5% maintenance |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
Mini case study
The "Baobab Hub" incubator welcomes 22 startups in 2026. Its director, Cheikh, sets up an official partnership with Kolonell and folds the site into the onboarding journey. Over the year, 18 startups order a showcase site (500,000 FCFA), 2 launch an e-commerce store (2,000,000 FCFA).
Calculation: showcase 18 × 75,000 = 1,350,000 FCFA; e-commerce 2 × 240,000 = 480,000 FCFA. Signature total: 1,830,000 FCFA for the year, plus 5% recurring maintenance on 18 sites. For the hub, that is over 150,000 FCFA per month on average, reinvested in support — without mobilizing a technical team.
FAQ
How many startups make it worthwhile? From 5 referred startups a year, commission reaches 375,000 FCFA. A regional incubator often supports 15 to 25, i.e. over a million FCFA.
Can we bundle the site into our offer? Yes. Folding the site into onboarding enhances the program and makes the need near-systematic: up to 90% of an accelerator's startups need a site.
Who handles production? Kolonell entirely. The structure makes the intro and earns 15% on signature, without mobilizing a technical team.
Is the partnership exclusive? Not by default. An "exclusive official partner" model exists and maximizes volume (up to 20 startups, i.e. 1,500,000 FCFA/yr), but it is not imposed.
Is there recurring income? Yes, 5% on the maintenance of each delivered site, accumulating cohort after cohort and creating a growing baseline income.
Let's talk about your project. Turn your startup pipeline into shared revenue with a referral partnership. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
