Applications are now open for the Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 Program!
Application Deadline: 30 April 2025
Applications are now open for the Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 Program!
About the Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa Program
Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 is Phase Two of an initiative to strengthen climate innovation across Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. In 2024, Village Capital, in partnership with Norway, through Norad – the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, supported 14 Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs)/Ecosystem Builders through training and capacity building (read about Phase One here). This year, Village Capital continues its mission to support impact-creating founders and strengthen regional ecosystems by collaborating with five of these locally-led Ecosystem Builders.
Village Capital will co-deliver five tailored investment-readiness programs, supporting 150 sustainability-focused startups across the above-mentioned markets in SSA.
The Sustainability Crisis in Africa
Despite Africa’s immense potential in greentech, startups in the sector face persistent challenges, including chronic underinvestment, fragmented support systems, and generic training programs. Systemic challenges such as limited capital, investor skepticism, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to slow progress. Without targeted interventions, the green transformation in sub-Saharan Africa will remain out of reach.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements include:
- Have legal incorporation and operate as a for-profit entity in at least one of the following countries or have intentions to expand into them: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, or Tanzania.
- Have a market-based tech solution that tackles one of the following challenges: Climate Adaptation, Renewable Energy, Blue Economy, or Food Security.
- Be in compliance with local fiscal and business law.
- Have at least two full-time founders based in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, or Tanzania.
- Have at least a minimum viable product (MVP) and raised less than USD 1M in equity.
- Have meaningful customer or business validation (not limited to revenue, it can also be successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships).
How to Apply
Startups should apply based on their country of operation:
- Apply here if you’re a startup in Ghana
- Apply here if you’re a startup in Kenya
- Apply here if you’re a startup in Malawi
- Apply here if you’re a startup in Mozambique
- Apply here if you’re a startup in Tanzania
Village Capital is looking for startups in the following areas:
Blue Economy
Fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, marine conservation, eco-tourism, and marine litter management.
Climate Adaptation
Early warning systems, risk mapping and analysis technologies, meteorological data technologies, carbon capture and storage, green infrastructure, and water management technologies.
Food Security
Precision agriculture, enhanced irrigation technologies, supply chain management, transportation and logistics, and cold-chain technologies.
Renewable Energy
Microgrid technologies, clean cooking solutions, hydro, solar, geothermal, and wind, energy management software, and energy payment platforms.
Benefits
Advice
Participate in a virtual investor forum and mock board meetings with representatives from financial institutions, corporations, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors who can help startups scale their solutions.
Continued Learning
Access to live and asynchronous sessions tailored to a virtual learning environment to help their companies identify early milestones and prepare for their next round of capital (if relevant) or significant expansion.
Financial Analysis
Access to an investment analyst who will coach startups 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics to drive both business and investor diligence.
Media Exposure
Exposure to Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
Mentorship
Ability to meet with and receive mentorship from prominent investors, potential strategic partners, customers, and other funders.
Networking
Access to a network of mentors and funders.
VISIT THE PAGE HERE AND APPLY
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Also Check: Apply for the EU Funded traineeship for young graduates at the EU Delegation to the Republic of South Africa
