SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026

The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026 is now accepting applications! This is a free, year-long, tailor-made support programme designed for African start-ups creating impact in the agricultural sector or related fields such as climate, livestock, energy, biotech, fintech, circular economy, logistics, and more.

📖 About SAIS Investment Readiness

The programme is aimed at helping start-ups become investor-ready and grow through:

• Customised advisory services
• Targeted technical support
• Access to a vibrant community of founders, experts, and investors

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: September 3, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 28, 2025
• Category: Training, Entrepreneurs, Fully Funded, Grants
• Opportunity Location: Kenya
• Sponsor Organisation: VC4A

🎁 Benefits of SAIS Investment Readiness

Participants in the programme will receive a fully funded, one-year support package, including:

• Up to €20,000 in technical assistance budget for:

  • Consultancies
  • Expert support
  • Legal advice
  • Online marketing
  • Licenses and certifications
  • ESG governance
  • Product optimisation
  • Market entry strategies
  • Customer acquisition & sales campaigns
  • Marketing & PR
  • Graphic design
  • Employee training, and more

• Revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with a 9-month maturity at 1.5% interest.

• Up to €10,000 in digital agency advisory from an international IT consultancy firm to enhance:

  • Digital capacities
  • Marketing skills
  • Data analytics

• Fully sponsored trips to:

  • Two in-person community events back-to-back with the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi (February each year)
  • One additional sector conference

• Investment and partnership facilitation, including:

  • Invite-only pitch sessions with a curated network of investors
  • Bespoke introductions to investors and funds
  • Guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence

• Access to a community of 100+ portfolio companies.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be for-profit and registered in Africa (all countries except South Africa).
• Have a management team of at least two people.
• Be at the pre-seed through Series A stage.
• Have a minimum viable product with evidence of revenue and paying customers.
• Operate in AgriFoodTech or agricultural-adjacent sectors with a direct/indirect impact on the agricultural sector or stakeholders.
• Have a tech or tech-enabled innovation as a key driver of value, scale, or efficiency.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on:

• Business model
• Technology
• Team
• Impact
• Traction

Special consideration will be given to companies with local founders and gender-diverse founding teams.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: September 28, 2025
• To apply, visit the SAIS Investment Readiness Application Portal.
• Submit your application through the official application form.

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to grow your start-up and make a lasting impact in the agricultural sector! 🌱

• Up to €20,000 in technical assistance budget for consultancies, expert support, legal advice, online marketing, licenses, certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market entry strategies, customer acquisition & sales campaigns, marketing & PR, graphic design, employee training, and more.
• Access to revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with 9-month maturity at 1.5% interest.
• Up to €10,000 in digital agency advisory from an international IT consultancy firm to strengthen your digital capacities, marketing skills and data analytics.
• Fully sponsored trips to two in-person community events back-to-back with the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi (February of each year), and one additional sector conference.
• Investment and partnership facilitation through invite-only pitch sessions with a curated network of investors, bespoke introductions to investors & funds, guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence.
• A community of 100+ portfolio companies.