If you’re building an African start-up that’s busy hacking agriculture with tech, here’s some good news: applications for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026 are officially open. And yes, it’s fully funded, equity-free, and designed with start-ups like yours in mind.
The programme, run by Scaling Agricultural Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS) under GIZ with backing from BMZ and the Gates Foundation, is hunting for the next wave of African innovators ready to take their agritech or agri-adjacent ideas from promising pilots to investor-ready scale-ups.
What’s on the Table?
This isn’t your typical “bootcamp with endless Zoom workshops.” SAIS has put together a whole year of practical, founder-focused support. Here’s the sweet spot:
- Money for brains and growth: Up to €20,000 in technical assistance to spend on what your start-up actually needs, whether that’s a lawyer, ESG governance, licenses, digital marketing, or even training your team.
- Low-interest loans: Revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 at just 1.5% interest. Yes, you read that right. No predatory rates.
- Digital boost: Up to €10,000 in digital advisory from an international IT consultancy to sharpen your data, marketing, and tech stack.
- Free trips (yes, flights covered): Fully sponsored travel to two in-person community events, including the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi (February 2026 & 2027), plus one extra sector-specific conference.
- Investor matchmaking: Invite-only pitch sessions with curated investors and strategic partners, complete with due diligence prep so you don’t fumble the bag.
- Community: Access to a growing peer network of over 100 African start-ups that have already gone through the programme.
Who Can Apply?
SAIS is looking for African start-ups that are more than just an idea. If you’re already registered in an African country (sorry, South Africa-only companies aren’t eligible), have traction, and are tackling challenges in agriculture, food systems, climate, energy, logistics, biotech, or even fintech that touches rural innovation, you’re in the right lane.
Bonus points if your founding team is gender-diverse, because SAIS is intentional about inclusive innovation.
What SAIS Wants from You
No free lunch, right? Selected start-ups are expected to:
- Assign a dedicated focal point (around 2 hours a week).
- Send a team member to the Nairobi events in Feb 2026 and Feb 2027.
- Share regular growth updates and impact data for at least a year after.
- Play nice with SAIS advisors and consultants by actually implementing the agreed roadmap.
Africa’s agri-food system is bursting with potential. From tackling food security and climate challenges to making farming a profitable business for smallholders. But scaling solutions takes more than grit; it takes access to capital, mentorship, and investor networks. That’s where SAIS comes in.
What makes this programme stand out? It doesn’t ask for equity. It doesn’t bury you in cookie-cutter workshops. Instead, it matches you with a dedicated advisor who co-builds a custom action plan tailored to your start-up’s pain points.
Key Dates
- 28 September 2025 – Application deadline
- Oct 20–31, 2025 – Interviews
- By 14 November 2025 – Final selections announced
- End of November 2025 – Virtual onboarding
- February 2026 – First in-person event at the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi
- February 2027 – Graduation at SAIStival
How to Apply
Applications are open in English and French. Deadline: 28 September 2025.
👉 Visit the SAIS website to apply.
Opportunities like this don’t pop up every day. If you’ve been bootstrapping your agri-tech hustle and wondering how to break into the investor circle without giving up equity, this might just be your ticket.
