SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2027: Up to €15,000 in Support for African Livestock Start-ups
African start-ups developing technology-driven solutions in dairy and aquaculture are invited to apply for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2027. The programme provides tailored business support, technical assistance, investment facilitation and access to a growing community of African agri-tech companies.
The programme is designed for innovative, technology-driven businesses strengthening livestock value chains across Africa. Applications are open to eligible start-ups from across the continent, with particular attention to dairy innovations in East Africa and aquaculture solutions in West Africa.
The application deadline is 15 November 2026.
What the Programme Offers
Selected start-ups will receive a one-year, tailor-made support programme designed around their specific business and investment-readiness needs.
Participating companies can receive up to €15,000 in technical assistance. This budget can be used for a wide range of services, including expert consultancy, legal advice, online marketing, licences and certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market-entry strategies, customer acquisition, sales campaigns, public relations, graphic design and employee training.
The programme also provides opportunities for founders to connect with investors and potential strategic partners.
Selected start-ups will receive fully sponsored trips to two in-person community events connected to the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi, as well as an additional sector conference. The programme facilitates investment through invite-only pitch sessions, curated investor networks, introductions to investors and funds, and guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence.
Participants also join a community of more than 100 portfolio companies.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Eligible businesses may also gain access to further financing opportunities through the SAIS community.
The SAIS Scale-up Grant can provide up to €40,000 to start-ups that are ready to expand their market reach and deepen their impact.
There is also an opportunity to access revolving working-capital loans of up to €50,000, with a nine-month maturity period and an interest rate of 1.5%.
These opportunities can provide additional financial support for companies moving beyond early-stage development and preparing for commercial expansion.
What SAIS Is Looking For
The programme targets for-profit, registered African companies with a management team of at least two people.
Eligible businesses should be at the pre-seed through Series A stage and have at least a minimum viable product. Recurring revenue, paying customers and established partnerships are considered desirable indicators of traction.
The programme has a particular focus on businesses strengthening livestock value chains through technology.
In dairy, areas of interest include animal health, genetics, feed and forage, particularly solutions relevant to dairy value chains in Kenya and Ethiopia.
In aquaculture, the programme is particularly interested in innovations involving genetics and feed, especially those relevant to Nigeria and Senegal.
Start-ups headquartered elsewhere in Africa are also encouraged to apply where they can demonstrate that their technology, solution or business model offers relevant lessons or opportunities for strengthening these priority value chains.
How the Programme Works
Unlike a traditional accelerator programme, SAIS does not take equity and does not offer a generic curriculum. Instead, each selected company receives tailored, hands-on assistance through a dedicated SAIS Navigator.
Companies are expected to appoint a management team member as the main programme contact and dedicate approximately two hours per week throughout the programme.
Selected businesses must also participate in community events, provide regular business-performance information and cooperate with impact assessments. They may be required to share relevant business documents and information with assigned experts and service providers as part of the support process.
Programme Timeline
Applications close on 15 November 2026, followed by screening and interviews from 16–30 November. Selection decisions are expected in December 2026, with virtual onboarding beginning in January 2027.
The programme’s in-person activities include SAIStival 2027 in Nairobi on 22 February 2027 and the Sankalp Africa Summit on 24–25 February 2027.
The main investment-readiness support will run from March 2027 to February 2028, with graduation scheduled for SAIStival 2028.
The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme is implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the Gates Foundation.
For African livestock start-ups looking for technical assistance, investor connections and practical support to scale, this programme offers a significant opportunity to strengthen both commercial readiness and long-term impact.
