Apply Now: Scaling digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS) Investment Readiness Program 2024

We are a company development and accelerator programme for African tech start-ups in the agriculture, food, and livestock sectors. Start-ups and their solutions are a central pathway to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We offer annual Investment Readiness Programmes (IRPs) in English, French, and for the livestock sector. Our goal is to put you in a position to raise capital for growth. To do so, we provide you with access to a growing network of experts, mentors as well as investors and business partners.

• Table of Content
• About Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
• SAIS Investment Readiness Program
• Aim and Benefits of SAIS Investment Readiness Program
• Requirements for SAIS Investment Readiness Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for SAIS Investment Readiness Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

We work to shape a future worth living around the world. This is GIZ’s vision and long-term goal. GIZ provides tailor-made, cost-efficient and effective services for sustainable development. 

SAIS Investment Readiness Program

Aim and Benefits of SAIS Investment Readiness Program

We offer three tailor-made Investment Readiness Programs (IRPs). One for English-speaking start-ups from Africa, one for French-speaking start-ups from Africa (PPI) and one exclusively for livestock start-ups from Africa.
In each IRP you will get tailor-made support. We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions and go the extra mile to structure the support we can offer to your individual needs and growth plans.
You will get access to a wide range of services with a virtual value of about 50k EUR. These services are:

• Access to our network of experts and mentors for individual coaching sessions;
• Additional services to improve a specified area of your start-up or business model (legal, marketing, hardware etc.);
• Dedicated tech support to strengthen your digital product and backbone and improve your data analytics;
• Integration into a local hub to broaden your network and contacts for a duration of six months;
• The opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and exchange with other founders as well as with our growing group of alumni;
• Access to web-based training modules covering core topics of start-up management and growth;
• Access to the broad network of partners and institutions of GIZ;
• Access to the Female Leader Circle, especially for female founders and female management staff.

Requirements for SAIS Investment Readiness Program Qualification

To be eligible for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme, you must meet the following conditions:

• 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 Program

The Program 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

Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit SAIS website