The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026 is a fully funded, year-long support initiative for African tech and tech-enabled start-ups driving innovation in agriculture and related sectors such as climate, livestock, energy, biotechnology, circular economy, fintech, logistics, and food systems.
Offered by the “Scaling Agricultural Innovations through Start-ups” (SAIS) project, the programme equips start-ups with the tools, resources, and connections needed to scale their operations, strengthen their business models, and become investor-ready.
What the Programme Offers
Selected start-ups receive access to a comprehensive suite of benefits tailored to their specific needs:
1. Technical Assistance & Advisory Support
- Up to €20,000 in technical assistance, covering:
- Expert consultancy
- Legal support
- Online marketing & PR
- Certifications and licenses
- Product optimisation
- ESG governance
- Market entry strategy
- Customer acquisition and sales campaigns
- Graphic design and team training
2. Access to Working Capital Loans
- Revolving capital loans of up to €50,000
- 9-month maturity
- 1.5% interest rate
3. Digital Advisory Package
- Up to €10,000 in digital consultancy from an international firm to enhance:
- Digital infrastructure
- Marketing and communication strategies
- Data analytics capabilities
4. Sponsored Travel
- Fully funded participation in:
- Two in-person community events (coinciding with Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi – February 2026 and February 2027)
- One additional sector-specific conference
5. Investment and Partnership Facilitation
- Bespoke introductions to investors and strategic partners
- Invite-only pitch sessions
- Expert guidance on fundraising strategies and due diligence
6. Community Engagement
- Access to a peer network of 100+ portfolio companies across Africa
Eligibility Criteria
Start-ups must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be legally registered in an eligible African country (Note: Companies registered only in South Africa are not eligible; however, multi-registered companies may apply using a different legal entity).
- Operate in agriculture or agri-adjacent sectors, such as food production, agritech, climate-smart solutions, or rural innovation.
- Demonstrate a scalable business model, viable technology, and strong potential for social and/or environmental impact.
- Have a committed and gender-diverse founding team (preferred).
- Show evidence of traction: revenue, customer base, partnerships, or pilots.
What SAIS Expects from Selected Start-ups
- Assign a management-level focal point to the programme (~2 hours/week commitment).
- Send a team member to attend two in-person events (Feb. 2026 & Feb. 2027).
- Share regular progress and impact data for at least one year post-programme (e.g., revenue, user growth, funds raised, employee count).
- Support impact evaluation by enabling access to customer or user feedback.
- Collaborate with SAIS experts and consultants by providing relevant data and documentation.
Programme Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 28 September 2025 | Application deadline |
| 20 – 31 October 2025 | Interviews with longlisted candidates |
| By 14 November 2025 | Final selection decisions communicated |
| End of November 2025 | Virtual kick-off and onboarding |
| Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 | On-site visit by SAIS advisor & action planning |
| February 2026 | In-person community event at Africa Tech Summit (SAIStival 2026, Nairobi) |
| March 2026 – Feb 2027 | Ongoing programme support & services |
| February 2027 | In-person graduation at SAIStival 2027 |
How the Programme Works
The SAIS programme is not a bootcamp, does not take equity, and does not impose generic content. Instead, it provides a tailored advisory experience:
- Each start-up is matched with a dedicated SAIS advisor.
- Advisors co-develop a custom roadmap based on the start-up’s specific pain points.
- Services and technical support are deployed according to the agreed action plan.
Who Is Behind SAIS?
The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
How to Apply
Join SAIS 2026 and take your African agri-tech start-up to the next level with expert support, funding, and investor connections — all tailored to your journey.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
