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Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

Strategic Roadmap: February’s Leap to Success

Welcome to a brand-new week of growth as we move into the second half of February! As the ecosystem marches forward, several opportunities lie ahead for you, promising to take you from “ideation” to “sustainability.” Are you in need of equity-free tech support from Google, or perhaps funding for your Nigerian SME? This week has all that and more in store for you.

Success is not something that occurs by chance but is, instead, the product of preparation meeting the right information. Let’s get you prepared.

BridgeSeed Accelerator Program 2026

The BridgeSeed Accelerator is a high-impact program that aims to empower early-stage, mission-driven startups. It aims to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and commercial sustainability by providing entrepreneurs with the foundational tools, mentorship, and investment readiness necessary to scale their impact globally.

What You’ll Get

• Capacity Building: Specialised training sessions and masterclasses on business strategy and operations.

• Expert Mentorship: Direct access to experienced industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs for personalised guidance.

• Investment Readiness: Assistance in honing your business model to attract seed investments and institutional capital.

• Networking Opportunities: Access to a global network of innovators, partners, and potential collaborators.

• Strategic Growth Tools: Assistance in transitioning your startup from the ideation phase to long-term commercial sustainability.

Who Can Apply?

• Early-stage startups with a scalable business model.

• Founders of mission-driven startups that pursue high social or economic impact.

• Entrepreneurs seeking to refine their approach to commercial viability.

• Startups seeking to access a global network of peers and mentors.

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Katapult Africa Accelerator Program 2026

The Katapult Africa Accelerator is a world-class program designed to support impactful startups building agritech, foodtech, and climate tech solutions in Africa. It combines 90 days of intense workshops and hands-on mentorship with meaningful capital to help high-potential startups achieve growth, investor readiness, and long-term impact.

What You’ll Get

• Financial Investment: Investment of $150,000 to $500,000 in exchange for equity.

• Intensive Coaching: 3 months of workshops on scaling, business modelling, and impact management.

• Expert Mentorship: Hands-on mentorship by a network of serial entrepreneurs, business leaders, and experienced investors.

• Global Network: Access to the Katapult impact network and potential follow-on investment for top performers.

• Investor Day: Exclusive opportunity to pitch your startup to a global network of active impact investors.

Who Can Apply?

• Impact-driven startups operating within the African continent.

• Startups focusing on Agritech, Foodtech, or Climate Tech (including Clean Energy, Circular Economy, and Clean Mobility).

• Scalable startups aiming to bridge the gap between their current stage and global readiness.

• Founders passionate about creating long-lasting environmental or social impact.

Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation Funding

The DRK Foundation is an international venture philanthropy organisation that funds early-stage, high-impact social enterprises. They look for "unreasonable" social entrepreneurs who address the world’s most challenging problems in innovative, scalable ways. With substantial multi-year funding and intense strategic support, the foundation helps visionary social entrepreneurs move from an inspiring idea to a sustainable, high-impact organisation.

What You’ll Get

• Unrestricted Funding: $300,000 in multi-year general operating support.

• Board Leadership: A three-year partnership where a DRK representative sits on your board of directors to offer high-level strategic advice.

• Strategic Support: Hands-on help with organisational capacity building, fundraising planning, and scaling your operations.

• DRK Network: Connection to a strong network of other social entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and institutional investors.

• Long-term Partnership: Guidance aimed at leadership building and reaching commercial and social sustainability.

Who Can Apply?

• Social Entrepreneurs: Visionary leaders with a strong "proximity" to the problem they are trying to solve.

• Early-Stage Organizations: Usually in the first three years of their growth.

• Scalable Models: Organisations with a plan to scale their impact well beyond their initial pilot or geographic area.

• Any Sector/Geography: DRK funds both non-profit and for-profit social enterprises around the world (including Africa and Nigeria).

Innovate for Impact Challenge 2026

Organised by the World Food Prize Foundation in partnership with America's Cultivation Corridor, the Innovate for Impact Challenge is an international competition for AgTech startups. The challenge seeks to accelerate innovative solutions that solve key food security, sustainability, and environmental resilience issues. Finalists get the chance to present their solutions at the elite Borlaug Dialogue to a global gathering of agricultural leaders and investors.

What You’ll Get

• Cash Awards: 1st Prize ($50,000), 2nd Prize ($10,000), and 3rd Prize ($5,000).

• International Recognition: A chance to present your solution live at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, to a global audience of 1,500+ stakeholders from 70+ countries.

• Networking: Access to a premier network of investors, policymakers, and thought leaders in the agricultural industry.

• Travel Opportunity: Finalists will get a chance to present their innovations on an international platform.

• Partnership Opportunities: Opportunities for future funding and partnerships with AgTech innovators.

Who can apply?

• Early-Stage AgTech Startups: For-profit companies worldwide with at least one full-time founder.

• Development Stage: Startups from the concept stage to those seeking pre-Series A funding.

• Global Founders: No restrictions on nationality. Startups from Africa and Nigeria are encouraged to apply.

• Focus Areas: Innovation must align with global food security, sustainability, and scalability.

Mastercard Foundation FAST Program

The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program is a targeted program aimed at supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. In collaboration with innovation hubs such as CcHUB Nigeria, the program offers enterprise support services, business development training, and necessary funding to fill the gap between education and a fulfilling career as an entrepreneur.

What You’ll Get

• Financial Support: Funding comes in two phases:

  Idea Stage: Average of $3,000 (maximum of $5,000) to develop early-stage ideas.

  Build Stage: Average of $12,500 (maximum of $15,000) to develop ideas into workable business models.

• Business Development Training: Access to targeted masterclasses and growth resources.

• Mentorship: Access to a network of experienced mentors and like-minded entrepreneurs.

• Network Access: Inclusion into the Mastercard Foundation and partner networks (CcHUB, ALA, and others).

Who Can Apply?

• Program Alumni: You must be an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), African Leadership Academy (ALA), Anzisha Prize, or the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

• Early-Stage Founders: Aspiring entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

• Inclusive Focus: The program is particularly open to young women, refugees, displaced individuals, and young people with disabilities.

• Geographic Focus: Open to entrepreneurs across Africa, including Nigeria.

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