Ygap is an international organization that champions the power of local entrepreneurs to address community challenges. The organisation supports early-stage social impact ventures led by individuals with deep understanding of local needs. YGap centres around three focus areas: gender, climate and technology. The organisation has presence in South Africa, Kenya, Pacific Islands and Australia and has supported more than 550 early-stage ventures. focusing on agriculture. The YGap Agripreneur Accelerator is specifically focusing on Agriculture as one of the mechanisms that forster economic growth, reduce poverty and that improves food security in the Southern African region.
Objectives of the YGap Agripreneur Accelerator
The YGap Agripreneur Accelerator Program facilitates the advancement of impact ventures, aiding them in honing and substantiating their business model while progressing toward financial stability.
The objective of the YGap Agripreneur Accelerator is to provide support to entrepreneurs to expand their ability to increase revenue, create employment opportunities, secure funding, and make a real impact in their communities. Successful Ygap Agripreneneurs should be able to access funding, however, the YGap Agripreneur Accelerator will not use that to take any equity stake in the business.
On the 12-month YGap Agripreneur Accelerator, entrepreneur will connect with a cohort sharing similar aspirations. Agripreneurs will benefit from a targeted technical guidance offered by a team of local specialists. The local experts will provide tailored support, including business skills development, technical support, strategy insights and mentor support as well as connections to international partner networks.
Eligibility
To qualify, the following criteria will apply:
- Entrepreneurs must have formally registered companies and must provide proof of this;
- The companies must be post-revenue and able to provide evidence;
- The venture must be innovative, in other words, it must have an element that is unique, for example, it should have a unique products or service, a unique production method or a unique business model. It could be a unique product or service offering, a unique production method, or a unique business model.
- Must have a social or environmental impact and must be focused on improving their community, city or their country a better place.
- Must be “local” to the issue they’re solving, and intimately connected to their community.
- Entrepreneurs must demonstrate that they are deeply rooted and in for the long haul. They must be dedicated and must be prepared to participate in the year-long Agripreneur Programme.
To apply, use this link and to get further information about the accelerator, use this link. The closing date 31 July 2024.
Further Information
One of our objectives is to empower small businesses and startups by curating funding opportunities that we come across. Refer to this page for other opportunities.
