Katapult Africa Accelerator

We invest in and support impactful startups building agritech, foodtech and climate tech solutions in Africa. Apply to our program!

agritech - kigali

About the Program

The world’s growing population increases demand for food and the environmental footprint from agriculture. New technologies have the potential to revolutionize our food systems and mitigate climate risks.

Innovative startups from Africa need help to take the leap and create long lasting impact. Our accelerator program is designed to help them with growth, investor readiness, and impact management. It combines 90 days of intense workshops, network & learning sessions with $150,000-500,000 investments.

Apply See our portfolio

What we look for…

In our mission to build a thriving world for all, the Katapult Africa Accelerator is particularly interested in applications from startups working in the following fields:

Agriculture and Food Production
Startups with technologies in agricultural tools and equipment, agro-inputs, production and conservation management platforms, and enhanced biotech and foods.

Supply Chain Services
Startups providing innovative financial services, and accessible data, information and knowledge for consumers and businesses.

Distribution and Logistics
Startups working on sustainable transport, storage, and supply chain marketplaces and platforms.

Sustainable Infrastructure
Startups realizing critical value chain opportunities for renewable energy, and processing and recycling technology.

If this is you, don’t hesitate to apply!

  • Application Read more

    Application

    Are you an impact startup operating in Africa? We would like to know more about you.
    Katapult Africa invests in agritech, foodtech and climate tech companies positively impacting the continent.

    Apply

  • Screening

    Our investment decision process includes several interviews where you will get to present yourself and your company, and get to know our team. Interviews will contribute to our insight and assessment to team quality, impact potential, your product, business model, scalability & accelerator fit.

  • Due diligence

    Due diligence means understanding your organisation’s current situation and what is required in order to reach both business and technological milestones. The global potential of your company is also assessed.

    We additionally conduct a deep dive impact screening to assess the overall impact of your operations and how aligned and integrated it is with the company strategy.

  • Investment

    We invest in all the companies that take part in our accelerator programs. We invest $150,000-500,000 in your company in return for equity, and charge a program fee to cover the costs of running the accelerator.

  • Accelerator

    Following investment in your company, you will take part in an intense accelerator program.

    During the program you will get hands-on mentorship from experts, serial entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors.

  • Investor day

    The program runs for 3 months and ends with an exclusive event for active and relevant investors, where where you will get the opportunity to pitch to impact investors from all over the world.

  • Scale investment

    Katapult is raising a follow-on fund to increase our post-program capabilities and support our best performers. We will make investments in companies during Series A or similar sized rounds.

Application

Are you an impact startup operating in Africa? We would like to know more about you.
Katapult Africa invests in agritech, foodtech and climate tech companies positively impacting the continent.

Apply

All startup accelerator programs

We are also investing in and supporting global impact driven tech startups saving our oceans.

See Ocean Accelerator

Our Partners

The Tony Blair Institute
The Tony Blair Institute’s mission is to equip political leaders and governments with the tools they need to create open, inclusive and prosperous societies in a globalized world. Experts in our Government Advisory unit help countries and their leaders turn their vision for development into reality through effective government. Through our expert advisors, we’re able to offer unique insight, as well peer-to-peer practical support, to leaders and governments keen to implement reform. And our Policy Futures team delivers analysis and practical policy advice on issues such as the challenges posed by technological advances and globalization. TBI has over the last 18 months also pivoted its work towards helping countries mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, source essential equipment, harness the power of technology and position themselves for the rebuilding to come. TBI currently works with governments and leaders in 16 countries in Africa – Angola, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, the DRC, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. TBI has been working alongside the government of Rwanda since 2008 and builds capacity and delivery functions of key agencies across government, including in the agriculture and ICT sectors. Today, TBI works with the government of Rwanda to attract private investments. Learn more about the Tony Blair Institute

Norrsken
Norrsken is an impact ecosystem where entrepreneurs can find everything they need to make saving the world their business. Norrsken run the award-winning co-working space Norrsken House in Stockholm, Sweden and Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda, the largest startup hub in East Africa. Norrsken incubated Norrsken VC – a $130 million impact VC fund investing in the best entrepreneurs that solve global challenges using technology and Norrsken22, a $200 million growth fund backing exceptional entrepreneurs building Africa’s new tech unicorns. Norrsken also manage the Norrsken Impact Accelerator, Europe’s leading Accelerator program for early stage impact startups. Norrsken is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political foundation, with a strong belief in effective altruism. It was founded by Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of payment services unicorn Klarna. Learn more about Norrsken.

Smart Africa
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs. With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa. Learn more about Smart Africa.

Norad
The Norwegian government agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is supporting the Katapult accelerator program with operational financial funding. The Agency is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norad provides expert advice about development and aid to foreign services and works together with a range of other players in development assistance. In order to provide good and relevant advice it is important to understand the context in which the development aid must work. Norad draws on the best expert groups in Norway and has substantial knowledge and know-how on subjects ranging from health and education to climate, environment, energy and human rights in recipient countries. Learn more about Norad.