Applications are invited for the GIZ Accelerator Program for Climate Change Innovations 2022. The GIZ Accelerator program for Climate Change Innovations is looking for early-stage companies in Benin, Cameroon, and Niger that deliver digital solutions to combat climate change.
They are looking for innovative and impactful tech-based solutions to either tackle the adverse effects or minimize the negative impact of climate change. In each of the three countries, a maximum of three early-stage companies will be selected to join the program, making a cohort of nine companies in total. After a needs assessment, these companies will receive tailor-made technical support, coordinated by GIZ’s in-country partners Etrilabs (Benin), ActivSpaces (Cameroon), and CIPMEN (Niger).
They are looking for innovative and impactful tech-based solutions to either tackle the adverse effects or minimize the negative impact of climate change. In each of the three countries, a maximum of three early-stage companies will be selected to join the program, making a cohort of nine companies in total. After a needs assessment, these companies will receive tailor-made technical support, coordinated by GIZ’s in-country partners Etrilabs (Benin), ActivSpaces (Cameroon), and CIPMEN (Niger).
Benefits
The major component of this program will be the mentorship and technical project support with- The involvement of an experienced business mentor for a period of 6 months
- Learning best practices from business experts to grow your business and your team
- The selected companies will be exposed to corporate partners and investors to attract potential business opportunities and investments.
- Collaboration with the in-country GIZ’s Digital Transformation Centers will help the founders to further grow their business and scale at local and regional levels.
- Finalists will have ample opportunities to network with local and regional startup founders.
- During a closing program event, €10,000 Euro in grant funding will be shared across the 3 finalists per country.
Eligibility
- Open to climate-focused technology startups meeting the following criteria:
- Officially incorporated, registered with the local chamber of commerce in the country or in the process of being registered;
- Delivering a technology and/or digital solution to accelerate the deployment of climate solutions at scale;
- Existing solution on the market (at least proof of concept, minimum viable product) on one of the above mentioned themes which has the capacity to scale;
- The product or service attracts its first customers and shows initial interest from clients (BtoB or BtoC) or investors/donors;
- Founder and its core team members must be available and committed to join all program elements (including monitoring and evaluation questionnaires);
- At least one of the founders is originated from Benin, Cameroon, Niger;
- Although this is not a selection criteria, attention will be given to teams committed to promote diversity and inclusion in their venture.