Village Capital, in collaboration with Moody’s Foundation, has launched Greentech 2024: The Future of Sustainability, an accelerator program aimed at nurturing investment-ready startups. This initiative is specifically tailored to foster innovative and sustainable solutions that contribute actively to enhancing resilience and combating the impacts of climate change across Africa.

Part of a broader global effort spanning Latin America and Asia, this program seeks to support and scale startups addressing climate change effects by mitigating environmental damage, enhancing agricultural practices and nutrition, reducing waste and pollution, conserving natural resources, and ensuring access to water, sanitation, and universal health. Geographically, the Africa program targets startups from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

The latest UN Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR 2023) highlights that only two out of 36 targets for 2030 are on track, with climate action and biodiversity falling behind or regressing due to slow implementation of solutions. This underscores the urgent need for transformative action across various sectors beyond governmental and international efforts. The call for applications is open to regional startups aiming to accelerate the transition towards sustainable development, focusing on areas such as cleantech, climate tech, agtech, food security, circular economy, regenerative economy, natural resource management, water, sanitation, and health.

Selected entrepreneurs will participate in three online workshops from August to September 2024. The curriculum is meticulously designed to equip them with the necessary networks and tools to scale their impact and uplift their communities. They will receive guidance from industry experts, investors, ecosystem partners, and an investment analyst, who will provide personalized coaching on financial modeling, unit economics, and utilizing financial metrics to drive both business and investor diligence.

Furthermore, all startups applying to the Village Capital Greentech accelerator program will gain access to Abaca, Village Capital’s online global network. Abaca assists entrepreneurs in articulating their readiness for investment and facilitates connections with relevant investors and resources. This comprehensive support framework aims to empower startups and facilitate their growth trajectory in the sustainability space.