World Food Programme, Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Challenge 4.0 (Up to $24,000 in equity-free funding)

Market linkages + visibility – Connections to investors and key stakeholders, access to community events and collaboration opportunities with Farmer Service Centres (FSCs).

Eligibility

They are looking for Startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and cooperatives with commercially viable solutions to strengthen the food system and contribute to job creation and improvement, especially for young women.

While all food systems solutions are invited, solutions addressing the following areas along the agrifood value chain, and enabling young women to participate as entrepreneurs or employees, are particularly encouraged to apply:

All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Business registration: Valid registration/certificate of incorporation and at least 2 years of operation in Rwanda
• Have proof of a revenue-generating business with proven market traction
• Be a team of at least three full-time members dedicated to the startup/SME/cooperative, including the founding team
• At least 50% of the founding and/or senior management team must be from Rwanda/East Africa
• The entity has to have existing key operations in Rwanda
• Be committed to support, provide mentorship and share learnings with peers and Farmer Service Centers (FSCs) participating in the program.

Youth-led businesses, particularly those led by young women are especially encouraged to apply. A business is considered youth-led if the CEO/Managing Director or at least one founder is under 35 years of age at the time of application.

A business is considered to be led by a young woman if a woman under 35 serves as CEO/Managing Director or holds significant decision-making authority as a founder.

For more information and application.