THE LAB
Build your venture, make connections, secure investment, and scale.
The Kinjani Lab supports 30 science-driven African climate startups each year to get from early traction to investment-ready.
It provides hands-on venture-building support, founder coaching, and technical mentorship, as well as access to capital, lab space, and sector partners.
Designed for startups tackling climate adaptation, carbon removal, and regenerative supply chains, it is interested in those working in hard-to-abate sectors like food and agriculture, restorative mining, urbanisation, and manufacturing.
- African-led and located pre-seed startups solving climate problems through deep science, nature-based and regenerative models, or applied technology.
- Teams with early traction or validation and a clear, compelling problem-solution fit.
- Startups building climate hardware tech solutions in the real world, with carbon sequestration and co-benefits of biodiversity, water access, and improved livelihoods as key focuses.
- Founders with technical, operational or commercial expertise.
- Founders looking for a co-founder (although this is not a focus of the programme).
- Accelerate your business, sharpen your execution strategy, and identify key growth levers.
- Navigate capital markets, what investors look for, how to prepare, and how to tell your story.
- Expertise in go-to-market strategy, technical scaling & IP strategy.
- Build strong commercial, technical, and operational foundations for scaling.
- Leverage expert insights from seasoned founders, industry leaders and climate innovators.
- Grow your network, gaining access to peers, partners, and aligned investors who understand the African climate opportunity.
- Hybrid format: in-person, on-site, and virtual (location TBA).
- Runs over 3 months, starting Q1 2026.
- There is no monetary cost to join — just your time and commitment.
- Ventures can receive returnable grants (non-dilutive capital to help fund early operations).
- Ventures will be eligible for investment consideration from Kinjani Invest and our aligned capital partners.
- Teams will be supported in connecting with grantmakers, accelerators and seed-stage investors.
- Founders join a growing alumni network and are showcased to corporates, partners and public-sector stakeholders.
- You leave the programme with: a validated, fundable climate venture, and a clearer path to scale.
Find answers to common questions about Kinjani programmes. Read full FAQs here.