The Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator is an 8-week program for seed-stage startups building solutions across Africa. Based in Nairobi this program is part of UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative, and is designed for founders developing technology-enabled approaches in agriculture, mobility, the built environment, and energy. We’re looking for bold, sustainability-driven companies ready to scale their vision and drive change.
This program is run in partnership with UNDP and is part of their broader Timbuktoo Initiative. As one of ten hubs, the Greentech Hub in Nairobi is focused on supporting founders focused on building sustainably across sectors.
Priority deadline: August 29, 2025
Applications received by the priority deadline will initiate an earlier start of the review process.
Application period closes on September 19, 2025.
Scaling Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainable Innovation
The Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator is designed for early-stage founders developing tech-enabled solutions in core sustainability sectors: agriculture, mobility, built environment, and energy. We believe these industries hold the key to a more climate-resilient, inclusive future and we’re backing the founders who are building it.
As part of UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative this 8-week program will take place in the GreenTech Hub in Nairobi (4 weeks in person, 4 weeks hybrid). The program helps startups refine their commercial strategy, strengthen their technical foundation, and connect with a supportive ecosystem. Through a mix of mentorship, peer learning, and hands-on programming, the goal is simple: help founders develop their ideas into scalable, sustainability-driven businesses.
If you're a founder...
Get tailored support from sustainability and growth experts who've scaled startups across emerging markets
You’ll build valuable connections with local ecosystem partners across government, corporate entities, and venture capital to support the growth of your product and customer base.
Join a supportive group of founders who share your drive to build for impact. From the retreat to weekly gatherings, the program fosters connection, collaboration, and peer learning.
Here's what you can expect
Start Your Application
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The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Pre-Program
The priority application deadline is August 29 and the final deadline to apply is September 15. The team reviews all applications and will respond with a decision prior to launching in October.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
WEEKs 1-2
Founders’ Retreat + Foundations of Growth
Foundational programming to cover growth marketing hacks, developing ideal customer profiles, creating an effective one-liner, and more.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Weeks 3-4
Founders will work on scaling their businesses, refine their tech solutions, and engage in weekly 1:1 mentor sessions.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Weeks 5-7
Hybrid weeks focused on events in person, and mentoring virtually, to help startups accelerate their sales and experiments.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Week 8
Showcase Prep and Event
At the end of the program, startups will have the opportunity to present their innovations during a final event, showcasing the results of their learnings and growth throughout the program.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Our Sustainable Innovation Program
We believe the next generation of global growth will be driven by sustainable, inclusive innovation, rooted in local leadership and commercially viable solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing markets and most climate-vulnerable communities on the planet. But it’s also where we see the most scalable innovation. This program is designed to equip the next generation of builders across these key sectors:
Agriculture
Innovations that increase efficiency, scale yield, provide financial resources for operations and promote environmentally conscious farming.
Innovation and technology that enables access to different forms of clean energy lowers cost and increases access for end customers.
Innovative practices and technologies that enable sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods.
Built Environment
Innovations improving the design, construction, and operation of buuldings and infrastructure, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and efficiency.
Example Sectors: Climate Adaptation, Energy Transition | Food Systems and Agri-tech | Health Systems, Population Resilience | Digital Public Infrastructure and Financial Inclusion | Gender Equity & Care Economies | Education & EdTech | Biodiversity & Nature Tech
Learn More
With a proven track record of accelerating startups, 500 Global expanded from it's roots in Silicon Valley to make its first investment in Africa in 2011. Since then, 500 has invested in and supported 100+ portfolio companies headquartered in Africa, notably backing Chipper Cash, Smile Identity, Stitch, Money Fellows and Asaak.
Read more about the opportunity we see working with African founders to scale globally.
15+
years of experience in startup acceleration
190+
100+
African startups supported
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