Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator Program

📖 About the Program

The Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator is an 8-week program for seed-stage startups building solutions across Africa. Based in Nairobi, this program is part of UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative and is designed for founders developing technology-enabled approaches in agriculture, mobility, the built environment, and energy.

The program seeks bold, sustainability-driven companies ready to scale their vision and drive change.

Program Structure

• Duration: 8 weeks (4 weeks in-person, 4 weeks hybrid)
• Location: GreenTech Hub, Nairobi
• Focus Areas:
  • Refining commercial strategy
  • Strengthening technical foundation
  • Connecting with a supportive ecosystem

Through mentorship, peer learning, and hands-on programming, the program aims to help founders develop their ideas into scalable, sustainability-driven businesses.

🎁 Benefits

Sector-Specific Mentorship

• Tailored support from sustainability and growth experts who’ve scaled startups across emerging markets.

Local and Global Networking

• Build valuable connections with local ecosystem partners across government, corporate entities, and venture capital to support the growth of your product and customer base.

Global South Community

• Join a supportive group of founders who share your drive to build for impact. The program fosters connection, collaboration, and peer learning through retreats and weekly gatherings.

Additional Highlights

• 1:1 Office Hours: Hands-on guidance from commercial and technical experts in the sustainability field.
• Workshops & Roundtables: Engaging sessions with industry leaders to refine growth strategies.
• Networking Events: Valuable connections with fellow founders, local ecosystem partners, and potential customers.
• Retreat: A 3-day, 2-night retreat focused on leadership, wellness, team building, and impact-driven discussions.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

If you’re a founder:

• Building at the seed stage in Africa for the African market.
• Launched or recently introduced your product(s) and are ready to grow.
• Operating a tech or tech-enabled business model.
• Driven by a mission to create sustainable impact.
• Ready to join in person in Nairobi for 4 weeks out of the 8-week program.

📅 Application Process

Key Dates

• Priority Deadline: August 29, 2025
• Final Deadline: September 15, 2025
• Program Launch: October 2025

Steps

1. Submit your application online.
2. The team will review all applications and respond with a decision prior to the program launch.

Program Timeline

• Weeks 1-2: Founders’ Retreat + Foundations of Growth
  • Topics include growth marketing hacks, developing ideal customer profiles, creating effective one-liners, and more.
• Weeks 3-4: Growth and Scaling
  • Focus on scaling businesses, refining tech solutions, and weekly 1:1 mentor sessions.
• Weeks 5-7: Acceleration Deep Dive
  • Hybrid weeks with in-person events and virtual mentoring to accelerate sales and experiments.
• Week 8: Showcase Prep and Event
  • Final event where startups present their innovations, showcasing their learnings and growth.

📅 Application Deadline

September 19, 2025

🌐 How to Apply

• View program details here.
• Apply directly here.

🏢 Sponsor Organization

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

This program is an incredible opportunity for sustainability-driven founders to refine their strategies, scale their businesses, and connect with a global network of like-minded innovators. Don't miss out!

• Sector Specific Mentorship: Get tailored support from sustainability and growth experts who’ve scaled startups across emerging markets
• Local and Global Networking: You’ll build valuable connections with local ecosystem partners across government, corporate entities, and venture capital to support the growth of your product and customer base.
• Global South Community: Join a supportive group of founders who share your drive to build for impact. From the retreat to weekly gatherings, the program fosters connection, collaboration, and peer learning.
• Hands-on guidance through 1:1 office hours with both commercial and technical experts in the sustainability field
• Engaging workshops, bi-weekly roundtables, and fireside chats with industry leaders to refine your growth strategies.
• Valuable connections with fellow founders, local ecosystem partners, and potential customers through cohort activities and networking events.
• 3-day, 2-night retreat to reset and refocus on leadership, wellness, team building, and impact-driven discussions.