Startups across Africa are being courted with a flurry of funding opportunities — from equity-free grants to accelerator programmes and interest-free loans. The catch? Time is running out. As founders navigate tough market conditions and rising capital costs, a fresh batch of micro-funding windows could provide the much-needed injection to stay afloat — or scale.
These opportunities are designed to support innovation in sectors ranging from agriculture and climate technology to financial inclusion and digital infrastructure.Below is a roundup of several current funding calls, including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and award amounts.
FINCA Ventures Prize: $400,000 Up for Grabs
Deadline: April 30, 2025 (GMT-5)
FINCA Ventures is accepting applications for its second annual Prize Competition. A total of $400,000 in equity-free grants will be distributed to six early-stage companies working on solutions aligned with climate-smart agriculture and financial technology in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Applicants must be early-stage for-profit entities based in Africa. The goal of the prize is to fund startups with the potential to scale sustainable innovations that directly impact low-income populations.
Village Capital’s Greentech Africa Accelerator
Deadline: May 9, 2025
Village Capital, known for its focus on environmental and social impact, has launched the Greentech Africa accelerator to support 10–15 early-stage companies across Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.
Startups must offer tech-enabled solutions addressing climate change, including clean energy, water sanitation, agri-tech, and circular economy ventures. Eligibility requires for-profit registration, a minimum viable product, and prior capital of less than $1 million.
Finalists will participate in mock board meetings and investor sessions aimed at preparing them for future rounds of funding or market expansion.
Savant Pre-Seed and Seed Fund (South Africa)
Rolling Applications
Cape Town-based deep tech incubator Savant is offering two funding tracks for startups:
- Pre-Seed Fund: Up to R800,000 (approx. $43,000), supporting proof-of-concept and prototype development at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–4.
- Seed Fund: Up to R1.2 million (approx. $65,000), intended for projects at TRL 5–6, with a minimum viable product and clear route to market.
Applicants must show progression from earlier grant stages and outline regulatory pathways and pilot plans.
GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize: $160,000 in Awards
Deadline: June 10, 2025
Now in its seventh year, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize is among the continent’s most established agri-food business competitions. Open to youth-led startups, the prize offers:
- $50,000 each to one male and one female founder
- $60,000 in Impact Awards for excellence in areas like climate resilience, food security, and gender equity
Finalists will pitch at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar in September 2025.
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator (California-based)
Deadline: April 13, 2025
The Miller Center’s in-residence accelerator in Santa Clara, California, offers mentorship and strategic support for social enterprises. Startups working on women’s economic empowerment or climate resilience are encouraged to apply.
The programme aims to strengthen business models and help founders prepare for larger-scale investment. While not offering direct cash awards, it provides access to a robust network of investors and operational support.
Techstars Opens Fall 2025 Applications
Techstars, the global startup accelerator network, has announced that applications are now open for its Fall 2025 programs, which include multiple accelerator locations globally. While not specific to Africa, the programme has previously backed African companies and continues to attract founders from Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo and beyond.
Founders accepted into the programme receive pre-seed investment — usually $20,000 in exchange for 6% equity — alongside targeted mentorship, curated educational content, and access to Techstars’ network of over 8,000 alumni, investors, and mentors.
The accelerator’s format includes a structured 13-week curriculum with a clear focus on market validation, product refinement, and investor readiness. Though competition is steep, the accelerator remains a launchpad for early-stage ventures seeking not only capital but also credibility on the global stage.
Application deadline: June 11, 2025.
More info: techstars.com/accelerators or visit here
IsDBI’s AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance Offers $21,000 in Prizes
Meanwhile, in a more specialised corner of the funding landscape, the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is targeting technologists and finance professionals through its first AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance, to be held from 8–10 May 2025.
The event invites students and early-career professionals to develop AI-powered tools that facilitate adoption of AAOIFI Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) — a key framework for Islamic financial institutions. Although framed as a hackathon rather than a grant programme, the cash prizes — $10,000, $7,000, and $4,000 for first, second, and third place respectively — will be non-dilutive, and participants will gain access to regulators, industry experts, and applied finance scenarios.
According to the organisers, the goal is to produce tangible solutions that improve standardisation, compliance, and decision-making in the Islamic finance sector. Projects will be judged on alignment with AAOIFI standards, innovation, performance of AI models, and user experience.
The event will run in hybrid format, with pre-event workshops online and the final hackathon taking place in person. The venue is yet to be disclosed.
Application deadline: Currently open.
Team requirement: 3–5 participants with expertise in AI, computer science, and finance.
More info: isdbinstitute.org
The Bottom Line
While venture capital flows into African startups have slowed relative to the peak years of 2021–2022, grant-funded and non-dilutive programmes like these remain a crucial funding pipeline for early-stage entrepreneurs. They offer breathing room for experimentation and often serve as a launchpad into larger commercial financing.
For founders facing shorter runways and longer fundraising cycles, the clock is ticking — but the money is on the table.
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