Washington-based impact incubator Halcyon has opened applications for its Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Programme, which will offer selected early-stage startups an equity-free stipend of US$10,000.
The programme is targeted at impact-driven ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa that are using market-based solutions to strengthen agriculture and food systems. Halcyon is looking for founders whose solutions improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers, boost food security, and help communities adapt to climate-related challenges.
Priority areas include food security, agricultural productivity, farmer livelihoods, market access, nutrition and food system resilience, with Halcyon saying it is particularly interested in innovations that help farmers and food systems prepare for, withstand and adapt to climate shocks.
Selected entrepreneurs will take part in a hybrid programme combining virtual sessions with two in-person residencies, the first in Accra, Ghana, and the second in Nairobi, Kenya.
Alongside the stipend, participating startups will receive US$10,000 in AWS credits, access to professional advisors, and workshops with experts in leadership development, capital strategy and product-market fit. They will also get networking opportunities with investors and other stakeholders, access to Halcyon’s global community of more than 650 founders, and ongoing alumni benefits.
The programme is open to startups based in Sub-Saharan Africa that are post-revenue but pre-profit. Applicants must have a working minimum viable product (MVP), realistic potential to scale, and evidence of early commercial traction through paid pilots, revenue, customer contracts or similar indicators. They should also be able to show early impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems, and their ventures must contribute to at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Applicants must be the CEO or primary decision-maker of their startup, working on the venture full-time, fluent in English and at least 21 years old by the start of the programme. They may apply with up to one co-founder, and must commit to attending all residencies and programme activities.
Applications are open here until tomorrow (October 13, 2026).
The post Halcyon opens applications for Africa agri-food innovation programme appeared first on Disrupt Africa.