Venture capital firm 500 Global is launching a new accelerator in Africa, kicking off a “Sustainable Innovation Program” aimed at backing founders in emerging markets. The initiative, which begins with a programme in Nairobi, Kenya, is anchored by a partnership with the Shell Foundation and co-funded by the UK Government.

The programme will focus on supporting mission-driven, seed-stage startups that are developing commercially viable solutions to challenges in agriculture, energy, mobility, and the built environment.

Participating startups in the intensive 8-week Nairobi accelerator will receive mentorship and access to 500 Global’s network of partners, investors, and operators. The goal is to help local entrepreneurs scale ventures that can deliver both market returns and measurable social or environmental impact.

“Through our Sustainable Innovation Program we are supporting commercially viable solutions to critical challenges,” said Dr. Alaa Murabit, Managing Partner for Sustainable Growth at 500 Global. “We are backing founders who are building businesses that strengthen their communities and scale real impact.”

A Partnership Model

This move represents a significant push into Africa for 500 Global, which has $2.3B in assets under management. The firm has historically established a presence in regions like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East by creating localized infrastructure to support entrepreneurs.

The new programme follows a similar partnership-led model. The Shell Foundation acts as the “catalytic partner,” with funding support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through its Transforming Energy Access (TEA) and Catalysing Agriculture by Scaling Energy Ecosystems (CASEE) programmes.

“Partnering with proven investors like 500 Global is a critical element in Shell Foundation’s vision of scaling clean solutions to reach millions of customers in emerging economies,” said Jonathan Berman, CEO of the Shell Foundation. He added that the goal is to “increase incomes while lowering emissions for millions of under-served customers.”

What’s Next?

While the initiative kicks off in Nairobi, 500 Global has indicated this is just the beginning. The firm sees the programme’s potential to “mobilize mission-aligned capital and drive venture development across nascent and emerging ecosystems throughout the global south.”

500 Global has already invested in over 140 companies whose work aligns with sustainability goals across 27 countries. The launch in Kenya signals a more formalized and focused strategy to build on that portfolio and support sustainable innovation from the ground up.

• Startups can apply to the Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi here.
• More information on the programme can be found here.

The initiative will back seed-stage startups in agriculture, energy and mobility, starting with an 8-week programme in Nairobi.