Applications are currently open for the Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9, a 13-month entrepreneurship initiative designed to support high-potential African founders before their ventures are established. This cohort will concentrate exclusively on food systems, guiding individuals through opportunity identification, team formation, idea validation, and the creation of new ventures aimed at solving challenges within the food and agriculture sector.
Program Focus and Structure
• Focus Areas: Food Systems, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Food Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Startups, Market Innovation, and Venture Building.
• Target Stage: The program is open to applicants at the pre-idea, pre-team, or pre-venture stage.
• Program Support: Jasiri assists participants through founder development, team formation, market validation, and venture creation.
Eligibility Criteria
• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia, including those living in the diaspora.
• Professional Background: Candidates must demonstrate strong professional expertise and a record of achievement. A previous background in agriculture or food systems is not a requirement.
• Entrepreneurial Evidence: Applicants must provide evidence of having previously built, launched, or sold something.
• Commitment: Participants must be prepared to pursue entrepreneurship on a full-time basis.
• Venture Focus: A willingness to build a new venture within the food systems sector is required.
• Collaboration: Applicants must be willing to co-found a venture with other entrepreneurs in the cohort.
• Relocation: A commitment to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda for the mandatory three-month Residential Intensive is necessary.
Funding and Support
• Venture Creation Grant: Selected ventures can receive a USD 28,000 grant, disbursed in milestone-based tranches.
• Market Validation Funding: Teams are eligible for up to USD 3,000 for prototyping and testing purposes.
• Residential Intensive Support: The program fully covers travel to and from Rwanda, accommodation, meals, local transport, and health insurance during the residency.
• Living Stipend: Participants receive a monthly living support of USD 250 during the three-month residency.
• Equity Terms: All funding is grant-based, and Jasiri does not take any equity in the ventures created.
Geographic Focus
• Eligible Applicant Countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia.
• Venture Launch Countries: New ventures are expected to launch in Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia.
Program Timeline
• Jasiri Jumpstart (Online): Begins 18 January 2027 for one month.
• Residential Intensive (Rwanda): Runs from 17 February to 23 May 2027.
• Venture Creation: Continues for up to 9 months following the intensive.
• Application Review: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submissions are encouraged.
Application and Selection Process
• Step 1: Application submission.
• Step 2: Entrepreneurial intentions assessment.
• Step 3: Psychometric assessment.
• Step 4: Video assessment.
• Step 5: Selection Conference.
• Step 6: Interviews.
• Step 7: Final offer.
Prospective applicants interested in building a venture to address challenges in the food and agriculture sector can find more detailed information and submit their applications through the official Jasiri website.