Are you a business with an innovative solution in Africa that tackles existing challenges in one of the following green sectors: Smart agriculture, Renewable energy, Waste management, Water management, and Climate Action
Apply for the Greenovation program to receive tailor-made support, and mentorship, as well as seed grant funding to bring your innovation to market and scale.
Advancement of the green sector within an ongoing context of transition to a low-carbon economy in Africa has the potential to foster entrepreneurship development and faster growth potential, particularly for youth-and women-led entrepreneurial initiatives.
By expanding the portfolio of bankable, concept-proofed green business models that are both markets- and investor-ready, we can create job opportunities and contribute to the continent’s economic welfare.
The ensuing creation of job opportunities bolsters the continent’s GDP growth potential, currently valued at $500 billion/year over the next 30 years.
With this in mind, the Greenovations Africa program combines incubation and post-incubation programs, providing participants with sector-specific skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and the resources needed to boost their chances of success through the maturation process of their business concept or solution.
In turn, the program will help you turn your concept into a viable and market-ready product ready to showcase its high growth potential.
The Greenovations consortium brings together strategic stakeholders of the ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in the green sector in Africa: AfriLabs, VC4A, the United Nations University, the Regional Collaboration Centres of the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy sciences including. Climate change (PAUWES) of the African Union.
The program at a Glance
Technical expertise in the selected green sectors
Cutting-edge technical knowledge and skills to implement innovative solutions in climate action, renewable energy, smart agriculture, water management, and waste management sectors to drive the economic development of the continent.
Latest entrepreneurship concepts and tools for the development of successful businesses and start-ups on the continent.
Coworking spaces present a great opportunity to aid in environmental conservation through reducing carbon footprint by optimum use of resources.
Dedicated mentorship and access to a network of Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs)
One-to-one mentoring with successful entrepreneurs and internationally renowned experts from across the continent and beyond to accompany selected participants in their business solution maturation journey:
Technical expert support in the selected sectors;
Integration into the local hub with state-of-the-art facilities
Exposure to international institutions and forums supporting the implementation of green /climate solutions
Seed funding.
The thirty (30) successful applicants to the program will receive seed grant funding of 3,300 Euros to bring their projects to fruition and market-ready;
Exposure to Africa-focused investors;
Connection to funding scheme and mechanism of UNFCCC.
Eligibility criteria:
Selection criteria
What do Greenovations expect?
Dedicated participants will commit to fully undergoing the program. With the support of the stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, participants in the program will mature innovative business products/services and set a strong basis for the development of successful start-ups addressing challenges in the green sector on the continent.