Applications are now open for the 2027 Halcyon’s Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Program. The initiative supports early-stage, impact-driven ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa that are strengthening agriculture and food systems through market-based solutions. The application deadline is October 23rd, 2026.
Program Overview
• Program name: 2027 Halcyon’s Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Program
• Target region: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Focus: Early-stage, impact-driven ventures strengthening agriculture and food systems through market-based solutions
• Ideal founders: Building solutions that improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers, strengthen food security, and help communities adapt to climate-related challenges
• Venture stage: Post-revenue/pre-profit, working full-time on the venture
Program Details
• Format: Hybrid program featuring virtual programming, a residency in Accra, Ghana, and a second residency in Nairobi, Kenya
Eligibility
• Location: Must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Stage – MVP: Must have a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a realistic potential to scale.
• Stage – Revenue: Must be at the paid-pilot or post-revenue stage.
• Stage – Traction: Must demonstrate early commercial traction and market validation through paid pilots, revenue, customer contracts, or similar indicators of market demand.
• Stage – Impact evidence: Should demonstrate early evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems.
• Team – Leadership: Applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power.
• Team – Co-founder: May apply with up to one Co-Founder.
• Team – Commitment: Must be working full time.
• Team – Language: Must be fluent in English; programming will be in English.
• Team – Age: Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program.
• Program engagement: Applicant(s) must commit to participating in all residencies, program activities, events, and in-person and virtual sessions.
• Impact – SDGs: Must be developing a product and venture that contributes toward one or more of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Impact – Approach: Must use a market-based approach to strengthen agriculture and food systems.
• Impact – Priority: Should prioritize improving the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers and low-income or vulnerable communities.
Benefits
• Access to Halcyon’s global community of 650+ founders
• $10K AWS credits
• $10K equity-free stipend per venture
• Professional advisors
• Workshops with experts in leadership development, capital strategy and product market fit
• Networking with investors and varied stakeholders
• Continued benefits after the program
Program Structure & Timeline
• Initial Deadline for Consideration: October 23rd, 2026
• Invitational Deadline: October 30th, 2026
• Pitch Days: December 7th & December 8th, 2026
• Selected Notified: December 18th, 2026
• Virtual Kickoff: February 9th, 2027
• Residency 1: Accra, Ghana, March 11th – March 19th, 2027
• Virtual Meetings: April 9th, April 23rd, May 7th, 2027
• Residency 2: Nairobi, Kenya, May 28th – June 4th, 2027
For More Information
• Visit the Official Webpage of the Halcyon’s Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Program
Interested founders are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and program timeline carefully and submit applications by the initial deadline. The program provides a structured opportunity for eligible ventures to access funding support, expert guidance, and a global founder community.