What is Africa ClimAccelerator?​

Africa ClimAccelerator is the first Pan-African climate accelerator focused on supporting the most promising climate impact ideas and those who put the objective of enhancing sustainability at the forefront of their own mission and growth.

We support early-stage businesses with climate tech solutions by providing support and capacity building.

The 6-month long accelerator provides the support you need to validate your start-up’s business model, build solid customer traction, structure your organization, prepare you to raise early-stage funding, and explore how (through your business model) you can generate maximum social and environmental benefit.

Startups are invited to apply from East, West, South and North Africa.

How are we doing this?​

The Africa ClimAccelerator is a collaboration between the Stichting Climate-KIC International Foundation, funded by the German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (‘GIZ’) exclusively on behalf of and for the account of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (‘BMZ’), and implemented by GrowthAfrica and Carbon Trust.

Together Climate-KIC, GrowthAfrica and Carbon Trust have:

  • Over 30 years of combined expertise in climate innovation
  • Supported 2,400+ startups globally (of which over 2,000 are climate-focused)
  • Attracted >€1.22bn in follow-on investment to startups
  • Generated over 38,300 full-time jobs through our portfolio of innovators

We want to support local cleantech entrepreneurs and provide them with state-of-the-art coaching and online training, as well as access to financial support and networking opportunities. The bottom line is success, both for you and your start-up and for the environment with tangible climate solutions. Africa ClimAccelerator not only catalyses the advancement of your start-up from one Stage to the next, but works towards ensuring that your start-up will be successful beyond the scope of this programme.

What are the 3 stages?

After acceptance into the programme, you will be provided with tailored support entailing:

  • Stage 1 – Validation of business model: This stage focuses on business model generation and validation, organizational goal setting and how to overcome barriers in scaling climate innovations

  • Stage 2 – Go-to-market:  Startups receive support in developing a unique value proposition , conduct a competitive landscape and interrogate the business processes a and setup to build an efficient and effective sales and business development engine for increased reach and revenue growth

  • Stage 3 – Investment readiness: Guidance on financial & business planning and investor readiness to reach out to potential investors

The programme will culminate in a Demo Day in which start-ups will have the opportunity to present their businesses to investors and other potential partners. This will also be an opportunity for all start-ups to present their journey and achievements throughout the programme.