Ignite Africa Cohort 1

About

An 8-week cohort-based program designed for founders with prototypes in climate adaptation solutions for food and agriculture, providing workshops, expert feedback, and tools to validate their business models and impact in real-world conditions.

Benefits

• 💼Business Model Refinement
  Participants will leave with a refined, AI-enabled business model.
• 📊Evidence of Impact
  Gain evidence of impact and demand from real users, and a credible pitch to external stakeholders.
• 🛠️ Access to Tools
  Subscriptions to select tools during the program will be provided.
• 👥Expert Feedback
  Receive in-depth feedback on your onward journey from industry experts and investors.
• 📚Workshops
  Weekly group workshops on AI methods, customer discovery, and impact measurement will be conducted.
• 🗓️ 1:1 Office Hours
  Participants will have access to 1:1 office hours with specialists in AI, product, and sector.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to early-stage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), startups, social enterprises, or founder-led ventures
• Must be developing solutions that strengthen climate adaptation and resilience in food and agriculture value chains
• Applicants must have a business model that generates or credibly moves toward earned revenue from customers
• Company registration is not required but encouraged before the program ends
• Large corporations and mature organizations are not the primary target.

Participation Commitments

• Must attend weekly group workshops and participate in asynchronous work between sessions
• Participants are expected to engage in 1:1 office hours with specialists
• Commitment to test their prototype with real users during the program
• Encouraged to have plans for company registration before the program ends.

Target Sector

Climate adaptation and agriculture technology

Target Location

Open to startups in Africa focusing on climate adaptation in food and agriculture