Are you a company with an innovative solution in Africa that addresses existing challenges such as: smart agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, water management, climate action. Then apply to the Greenovations incubation and mentoring programme to receive tailored support, mentoring, and seed grant funding to bring your innovation to market and scale.

The advancement of the green sector in a continuing context of transition to a low-carbon economy in Africa has the potential to foster entrepreneurial development and faster growth potential, particularly for youth and women-led entrepreneurial initiatives.

By expanding the portfolio of bankable and proven green business models that are both market and investor ready, Greenovations can create employment opportunities and contribute to the economic well-being of the continent. The resulting creation of employment opportunities enhances the continent's GDP growth potential, currently estimated at $500 billion per year over the next 30 years.

The programme - In brief

• 6-month incubation and 3-month post-incubation programme using a blended approach encompassing online capacity building training with online courses to develop the technical skills and competencies needed to understand the selected sector/market segment and enhance the development of innovative products and/or services;
• Integration into local technology hubs/Fab labs of the AfriLabs community/network across the continent, with access to facilities, including physical coworking space, labs, etc. to support prototype and MVP development;
• Mentoring support with one-to-one coaching conversation, support from dedicated technical experts and business coaching by ecosystem experts;
• Access to marketplaces, Africa-focused investors and financing opportunities through the UNFCCC investment mechanisms for the deployment of sustainable business models for products/services;
• Exposure to international institutions and forums supporting the implementation of green/climate solutions:
• Open to innovators from across the continent.

Why choose the programme?

• Technical expertise in selected green sectors
  • Advanced technical knowledge and skills to implement innovative solutions in the areas of climate action, renewable energy, smart agriculture, water management and waste management to boost the continent's economic development.
  • Latest entrepreneurship concepts and tools for developing successful businesses and start-ups on the continent.
• Dedicated mentoring and access to the network of entrepreneurship support organisations (ESO)
  • One-to-one mentoring with successful entrepreneurs and internationally renowned experts from across the continent and beyond to accompany selected participants on their journey to maturing business solutions:
    • Support from technical experts in the selected sectors;
    • Live and interactive business coaching and advice sessions;
  • Network of partners in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa and beyond;
  • Cooperation with local Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) on the continent for dedicated physical support, including the development of the minimum viable product (MVP).
• Integration into a local hub with state-of-the-art facilities
  • Incubation space with dedicated services to support participants in the maturation of their start-ups/business solutions;
  • Access to a co-working space and the facilities of AfriLabs hub members for the maturation of your solution;
  • Online learning environment with dedicated digital tools to strengthen your knowledge in selected sectors and your entrepreneurial skills;
  • Connecting with local actors of the start-up scene;
  • Access to the business information database and other resources from the technology hubs space.
• Exposure to international institutions and forums supporting the implementation of green/climate solutions
  • Exposure to UNFCCC regional forums such as Africa Climate Week, Conference of the Parties ;
  • Exposure to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) regional forum such as the MDG Conference;
  • Exposure to regional, pan-African and green institutions (African Development Bank, African Union Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, UNFCCC, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNECA, etc).
• Seed funding.
  • The thirty (30) successful applicants to the programme will receive a start-up grant of €3,300 to complete their projects and bring them to market;
  • Exposure to Africa-focused investors ;
  • Connection to the UNFCCC funding programme and mechanism.

Eligibility criteria

• Be a young African under the age of 35, holding a passport from one of the member countries of the African Union.
• Be based in one or more countries on the African continent.
• Have an innovative green business at an early stage of development.
• Be digitally literate (know how to use the Internet, computers, etc.)
• Be fluent in English.

Young African women are encouraged to apply.

The selection criteria

• Innovative business solution in the green sector defined with high impact potential.
• Practical feasibility of the product/service.
• Commercial potential of the product/service.
• Growth potential of the innovative business solution.

For more information, please visit Greenovations.