Application for 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. We are looking for innovative and impactful tech-based solutions to either tackle the adverse effects or minimize the negative impact of climate change.
This program is open to startups using and leveraging digital technologies directly in their solution or in their operations in the following fields:
| Countries thematics | Benin | Cameroon | Niger |
| Water & soil management for agriculture & WASH in relation to agricultural production and to access to essential services such as health, sanitation, and/or hygiene services | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Agritech solutions to deal with the consequences of climate change, to support farmers thanks to weather forecasting services/alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Clean energy solar or biogas energy for private or business use, digital solutions enabling access to energy in the most remote areas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Last-mile distribution of essential goods & services (energy, water, health) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Protection of biodiversity & natural resources (coastline, wetland, mangroves, savannah, forests) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Access to markets for agricultural goods transport solutions, farming as a service for large buyers (retailers, restaurants, ..) | Yes | No | No |
| Air, land, and water pollution (due to transportation, wood-burning, garbage burning, indoors fuel or wood stoves, but also plastic or e-waste pollution) | Yes | No | No |
Companies should be able to demonstrate at least a proof of concept, a prototype, and first traction in the market. This call for applications is not open to companies that are still in the idea stage.
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 our in-country partners Etrilabs (Benin), ActivSpaces (Cameroon), and CIPMEN (Niger).
About GIZ Accelerator Program
This program is 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.
GIZ Accelerator Program- 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 foundersto 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.
Important Dates/Timeline
What happens after the application period ends?
– April: Assessment of all completed applications received. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and interviewed by an independent jury of investors. Please be aware that additional company information and financial data will be asked. For those who are in the process of registering their business, this will become a key requirement.
– May: Selection of the 3 finalists and assessment of their needs in terms of business & technical support. Kick-off of the support program.
– May-October: Rollout of the mentorship and technical support program. On top of the 6 months of mentoring by an experienced business professional, the founders will have dedicated training and support on topics such as finance, legal, HR, etc. to help them face the main growth challenges of their company.
– October-November: Closing session/event, including the opportunity to pitch to local investors. Based on the pitches,10.000 euros in the grant will be shared across the 3 finalists per country.
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