Are you running a tech startup and want to transform the agriculture and food tech industry in Africa? Do you have a tech solution that makes the industry more sustainable and profitable while at the same time empowering value chain actors? Do you want support in raising investment, reaching more customers, and having a significant impact?
SAIS Investment Readiness is a Pan-African program for African tech startups from the agriculture, food sector, and climate sectors (specifically including the livestock sector, that want to scale their business). The Investment Readiness Program (IRP) aims to improve investor readiness so that the startups supported can raise more capital to reach more customers and achieve greater impact.
The IRP is offered by “Scaling digital Agriculture Innovations through Startup (SAIS)”, a project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is co-funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Our overall goal at SAIS is to increase incomes in the African agri-food sector through scaling proven digital innovations.
For 2025, up to 20 startups will be selected to participate in our yearlong Programme. Since 2019, SAIS has accelerated more than 46 outstanding FoodTech and AgTech startups
About VC4A
VC4A started with the mission to build up Africa’s start up community. Started in 2007, the network building organization has grown organically over the years into what is now the leading community working to build high growth high impact companies globally.
Increased economic momentum is fueled by a growing number of entrepreneurs and their ambition to transform society. It is imperative we seek out the collaborations and partnerships needed to bring together the capital, knowledge, and network these entrepreneurs require to succeed – and to provide every entrepreneur with an e... continue reading
Subscribe for scholarship update!
Be among the first to know whenever new VC4A scholarship is going on. Enter your email address and click the Subscribe button ↓
SAIS Investment Readiness Programme
Aim and Benefits of SAIS Investment Readiness Programme
Selected start-ups receive services worth up to 35,000 EUR including:
- Mentorship and coaching with local and international experts tailored to your specific needs to develop and implement strategies for rapid growth.
- Additional services & technical resources to optimise certain key areas of your business, e.g. legal advice, online marketing, digital product optimization, design, and coding.
- Individual trainings, e.g. pitch training, growth strategy, data analytics & management, term sheet, valuation, market analysis, marketing & sales.
- Investment and partnership facilitation, e.g. guidance on fundraising strategy, preparation of fundraising rounds, support for due-diligence processes, introduction to investors & funds.
- Networking and showcasing opportunities at two in-person community events scheduled back-to-back with the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi, and one additional sector conference (travel costs for one representative from each start-up are covered by the programme).
- Community exchanges and peer-learning, e.g. virtual group trainings and workshops, company visits, deal rooms, topical exchanges and inputs from external speakers and guests.
Add-ons on an as-needed basis:
- Programme for Female Leaders: networking, peer-to-peer learning and increased visibility for female founders and women in leading positions.
- Cash2Start-ups: access to working capital loans of up to 50,000 EUR for up to 9 months, designed to support your growth.
- Digital Agency Support: targeted technical assistance to start-ups to work on their digital components and become more data driven.
Requirements for SAIS Investment Readiness Programme Qualification
To be eligible for the programme, your company must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be registered in Africa
- Be for-profit
- Have a minimum viable product
- Have a digital or tech-enabled solution for the agriculture, food or livestock value chain
- Have a management team of at least two people
- Have evidence of traction (paying customers, first revenue)
- Contribute to climate change adaptation, income generation and/or food & nutrition security
Interview date, Process and Venue for SAIS Investment Readiness Programme
Timeline
- August to November 2024 | Selection Process
- December 2024 to March 2025 | Needs Assessment and Development Planning
- February 2025 | In-person Kick-off at SAIStival 2025
- March to September 2025 | Execution of Development Plans
- September 2025 to February 2026 | Investment Exposure & Deal Facilitation
- February 2026 | In-person Graduation from the Programme at SAIStival 2026
Application Deadline
September 2, 2024How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
VC4A on vc4a.com to apply
For more details, visit GIZ-SAIS website
Menu
