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Grants, accelerators, competitions and fellowships open to founders across the continent. Filter by country, sector, stage or deadline.
14 opportunities found
NVIDIA Inception
NVIDIA Inception is a free programme that supports AI startups as they develop products, move from prototypes towards production and grow their businesses. Members can access technical training, developer resources, preferred pricing on selected hardware and software, partner offers, startup ecosystem events and potential connections to venture capital firms. Startups do not need to be generating revenue or have previously raised funding. Applicants must have a legally incorporated company that is less than 10 years old, a working website and at least one developer. Certain organisations, including consulting and outsourced development firms, resellers and public companies, are excluded. Membership does not guarantee cash funding, cloud credits or introductions to investors. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants, Eighth Call
The Global EbA Fund provides grants for innovative projects that help communities and ecosystems adapt to climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). This call supports initiatives that address barriers preventing effective adaptation solutions from being adopted at greater scale. Eligible activities may include strengthening institutional and technical capacity, generating evidence, building learning networks, improving investment readiness and supporting policy uptake. Projects must demonstrate a clear climate adaptation rationale, innovative and catalytic potential, partnerships with local institutions, and a credible plan for sustaining or replicating results. Projects can run for up to 24 months. Individuals cannot apply directly, and the fund does not support standalone field implementation without a wider scaling rationale. Applicants must meet the fund's detailed eligibility and documentation requirements. The submission window closes on 26 October 2026.
Commonwealth Foundation Individual Organisation Grants, 2026–2027 Call
The Commonwealth Foundation's Individual Organisation Grants support civil society organisations delivering projects that strengthen people's participation in decision-making and public life. The 2026–2027 call continues support for projects led by eligible organisations, including creative organisations that use their work to advance civic participation and community engagement. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed activities, the needs of the communities they serve and the intended outcomes. Organisations must consult the current application guidance for eligible countries, project requirements, budget rules and assessment criteria before applying. This is project-based funding rather than an unrestricted grant for general business operations. The official portal confirms that the current call closes on 26 October 2026 at 1 p.m. GMT. The supplied notice advertises GBP 15,000–30,000 per year; confirm final funding terms in the current guidance.
Commonwealth Foundation Collective Action Grants, 2026–2027 Call
The Commonwealth Foundation's Collective Action Grants are designed to support collaborative initiatives that enable communities and civil society actors to participate more effectively in public decision-making. Eligible applicants include networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives working together on shared objectives. Proposals should demonstrate why collective action is necessary, how participating organisations will work together and what meaningful changes the project expects to achieve. The opportunity is particularly relevant to groups addressing governance, participation, rights and inclusion through coordinated community or civil society action. Applicants should consult the official guidance for the exact eligibility, grant size, eligible expenditure and lead-applicant requirements. The current application deadline is 26 October 2026 at 1 p.m. GMT. The supplied notice advertises GBP 15,000–20,000 per year; confirm the current guidance.
Future Conservationist Award 2027
The Future Conservationist Award supports early-career conservationists developing projects that address important biodiversity challenges. Successful teams can receive up to USD 15,000 alongside access to the CLP alumni network, training, mentorship and continued professional development opportunities. The 2027 award process begins with a concept note, with only shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full application. Proposals should clearly define the conservation problem, proposed activities, expected outcomes and contribution to biodiversity protection. Applicants should review the programme's team composition, country eligibility and early-career requirements before preparing their submissions. The immediate deadline is for the concept note stage, rather than the full application: 30 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
100x Impact Accelerator: 2027/28 Cohort
100x Impact is seeking ambitious social ventures with proven models and the potential to improve the lives of hundreds of millions, or even billions, of people. Selected organisations receive GBP 150,000 in catalytic grant funding and participate in a tailored 16-week programme covering leadership development, scaling strategy, impact measurement and funding strategies. Participants also gain access to LSE's research expertise and a global network of funders, advisers, partners and peers. The programme is designed for organisations that have demonstrated positive impact and can explain how their solutions could reach substantially more people. Potential follow-on funding may be available to selected ventures, subject to fit and funding availability.
Youth Enterprise Development Fund Business Loan
Government-backed affordable financing, training and market access for youth-owned Kenyan enterprises, disbursed on a rolling basis.
D-Prize Global Competition 2026
D-Prize supports entrepreneurs who want to expand access to existing, evidence-backed solutions to poverty. Rather than funding the invention of a new product, the competition focuses on building organisations that distribute proven interventions to underserved communities. Applicants select a challenge area and submit a short concept note explaining the distribution model, target population, implementation plan and expected impact. Examples of relevant models include phone-based tutoring, post-harvest technologies, health interventions and improved access to essential services. Winners can receive up to USD 20,000 to launch their organisation and test their approach. The programme generally favours new organisations and first-time entrepreneurs; organisations with more than 18 months of full-time operations or over USD 30,000 in funding typically do not qualify, although exceptions exist for organisations focused on distributing proven interventions. Early submissions close 25 October 2026; the regular deadline is 15 November 2026. An extension deadline of 6 December 2026 is available under the organiser's extension process; confirm the requirements before relying on an extension.
Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants
This funding window supports medium-sized projects that accelerate the adoption and scaling of ecosystem-based adaptation. The fund is particularly interested in innovative, collaborative approaches that strengthen enabling environments, integrate adaptation into policy and planning, improve access to investment and generate lessons that can be applied beyond individual project sites. Priority themes include innovative finance solutions for EbA and approaches that connect climate resilience, biodiversity, land management and development. Projects must be built on existing work or knowledge, demonstrate a clear pathway to scale and establish credible local partnerships. Grants can support projects lasting up to 24 months. Funding is awarded competitively, and applicants must comply with the official eligibility, financial capacity and project design requirements. The submission window closes on 16 November 2026.
Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship 2027
The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship gives selected African professionals the opportunity to work for 12 months in the executive offices of three major institutions: the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, or the International Trade Centre in Geneva. Fellows contribute to policy work, research and institutional priorities while receiving direct mentorship from senior institutional leaders. The programme combines practical exposure to regional and international policy processes with leadership development and professional networking. Three fellows are selected annually. Applicants should review the Foundation's requirements for nationality, academic qualifications, relevant experience and other eligibility conditions. The fellowship provides a USD 100,000 stipend and is intended for individuals rather than organisations or businesses.
Drawbridge Grant, January 2027 Cohort
The Drawbridge Grant provides direct financial support to two Nigerian businesses seeking to grow their operations. The January 2027 cohort offers NGN 1 million to one winner and NGN 500,000 to a second winner. The awards are grants rather than loans or equity investments, so recipients do not have to repay the money or surrender ownership of their businesses. Funding can be used for growth-related expenses such as inventory, equipment, tools, marketing or staff. Applicants complete an initial application, after which shortlisted businesses may be invited to interviews covering their customers, financial performance and plans for the funding. Applicants must operate a registered Nigerian business with paying customers. The grant is not available to businesses based solely in Kenya. The official form takes approximately 2–5 minutes and does not require a pitch deck or business plan document. Applications close 30 November 2026.
AI Founder Sprint 2027
The AI Founder Sprint is a 10-week virtual programme designed to help entrepreneurs build, test and scale their ventures using artificial intelligence. Participants receive practical AI training, research-backed entrepreneurial frameworks, workshops, masterclasses, mentorship and peer support. The programme is open to founders worldwide, and applicants do not need to be affiliated with INSEAD or operate an AI-native startup. Participants are expected to demonstrate a clear vision, motivation and commitment to the programme. The sprint runs from 27 January to 2 April 2027 and is free, with no equity requirement. Demo Day opportunities and prize funding may provide additional exposure to investors and the wider startup ecosystem. Applications close 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+8.
Food & AgTech Innovation Challenge 2026
This global challenge seeks innovative technologies that can improve food and agricultural productivity, use resources more efficiently and strengthen resilience across food systems. Applicants should demonstrate a clearly defined problem, differentiated technology, measurable impact, customer value and a credible commercialisation pathway. Relevant solutions include food preservation and packaging, post-harvest loss reduction, food safety and traceability, precision agriculture, sensors, artificial intelligence, agricultural biologicals and automation. The selected winner or winning solution can receive a USD 150,000 challenge prize. Additional investment of up to USD 1.5 million may be considered for selected opportunities, subject to due diligence and investment approval. The competition is particularly relevant to ventures capable of demonstrating practical benefits for Canadian producers, food businesses or consumers.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)
Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects supports non-profit organisations implementing projects that respond to essential community development needs. In Kenya, priority sectors include education, healthcare, water and sanitation, and agriculture or fisheries. Eligible applicants include local authorities, educational and medical institutions, NGOs and public benefit organisations. Individuals and for-profit businesses cannot apply directly. Projects should demonstrate a clear community benefit and align with the programme's development priorities. Applicants must review the official guidelines, complete the prescribed application form and provide the required supporting documents. Applications are submitted to the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi during the annual application window, from 1 August to 31 January. The opportunity is suitable for organisations delivering practical community services rather than commercial ventures seeking general business capital. The supplied notice advertises approximately KES 15 million; confirm the applicable ceiling and budget rules with the Embassy.