Written by The Scaling digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS) programme has opened applications for its 2027 Livestock Investment Readiness Programme, supporting African start-ups developing technology-driven solutions for livestock, dairy and aquaculture value chains.
The one-year programme aims to help start-ups strengthen their business models, improve investment readiness, attract funding and scale their operations through tailored technical assistance, mentorship and investor connections.
The programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the Gates Foundation.
Benefits of the Programme
Selected start-ups will receive:
- Up to €15,000 in technical assistance: In-kind support for expert consultancy, legal advice, product optimisation, licensing, certification, marketing, customer acquisition, employee training and other business development needs.
- Tailored business advisory: A dedicated SAIS Navigator to help identify and address the company’s growth challenges.
- Investment readiness support: Guidance on fundraising strategy, due diligence and preparation for investor engagement.
- Investor connections: Access to curated pitch sessions, introductions to investors and investment funds, and potential strategic partners.
- Sponsored participation in events: Fully funded trips to two in-person community events alongside the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi and one additional sector conference.
- Networking opportunities: Access to a community of more than 100 portfolio companies.
Additional Financing Opportunities
Eligible start-ups may also access separate funding opportunities, including:
- SAIS Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 for qualifying businesses ready to expand their market reach and impact.
- Revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000, with a nine-month maturity and 1.5% interest.
These additional financing opportunities are subject to separate eligibility and selection conditions and are not guaranteed to every participant.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to African start-ups that meet the following requirements:
- Legal registration: Must be a registered, for-profit company in an African country.
- Management team: Must have at least two members in the management team.
- Fundraising stage: Must be at the pre-seed through Series A stage.
- Product development: Must have at least a functioning minimum viable product (MVP).
- Business traction: Paying customers, recurring revenue and established partnerships are preferred.
- Technology-driven solution: Must use technology to strengthen livestock, dairy or aquaculture value chains.
- Impact alignment: Must demonstrate potential to improve productivity, sustainability, food security and livelihoods.
Start-ups from across Africa are encouraged to apply, including those outside the programme’s priority regions, provided they demonstrate how their innovations or business models can contribute to strengthening the targeted value chains.
Priority Areas
SAIS is particularly interested in technology-driven innovations in the following areas:
Dairy and Livestock in East Africa
- Animal health
- Animal genetics
- Feed and forage
- Animal nutrition
- Dairy production and productivity
Aquaculture in West Africa
- Aquaculture genetics
- Fish feed and nutrition
- Technologies that improve aquaculture productivity
- Sustainable aquaculture solutions
Start-ups in Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and Ethiopia are particularly relevant to these focus areas. Other African countries are also eligible.
Programme Commitments
Selected start-ups are expected to:
- Appoint a management team member as the main programme contact, committing an average of two hours per week.
- Participate in two in-person SAIS community events.
- Provide regular updates on business indicators, including revenue, customers, users, employees and funding raised.
- Share progress information during the programme and for at least one year after completion.
- Support impact assessments and collaborate with assigned experts and service providers.
Programme Timeline
- November 15, 2026: Application deadline
- November 16–30, 2026: Screening and interviews
- December 2026: Selection decisions communicated
- January 2027: Virtual onboarding and programme kick-off
- February 22, 2027: SAIStival community event in Nairobi, Kenya
- February 24–25, 2027: Sankalp Africa Summit, Nairobi
- March 2027–February 2028: Programme implementation and technical assistance
- February 2028: Graduation at SAIStival 2028
How to Apply
Interested and eligible African start-ups should:
- Visit the official SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme application page.
- Review the eligibility requirements and priority value chains.
- Prepare information about the company, management team, technology solution, business model and growth plans.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Application link: https://sais-accelerator.com/livestock-apply-now-for-2027/
Application deadline: November 15, 2026.