Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 VilCap 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.
Eligibility Requirements
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).
Categories
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.
Program Timeline:
- March 10, 2025: Applications open
- April 30, 2025: Applications close
- Mid-May, 2025: Cohort announcement (Pre-accelerator)
- September, 2025: Cohort announcement (Investment-readiness program)
Virtual workshops (Pre-accelerator)
- Cohort 1: May 19 – July 11, 2025
- Cohort 2: June 20 – August 15, 2025
Virtual workshops (Investment-readiness program)
- Cohort 1: September 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
- Cohort 2: February 1, 2026 – June 1, 2026
June, 2026
Program Summit
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
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the VilCap Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa Program
