My Little Big Thing has launched its 2026/2027 Sustainability Challenge, 10th Anniversary Edition, inviting young African innovators to develop ideas, prototypes, and early-stage ventures that address sustainability challenges across the continent. Organised by MK-Africa, the challenge is open to individuals aged 18 to 35 living anywhere in Africa. Applicants do not need a registered company, an existing product, or previous funding to participate.
Programme Overview
- The 2026/2027 edition features four innovation tracks aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- The four tracks are Digital & Economic Inclusion, AgriTech & Circular Economy, Empowering Women through Innovation, and Transparency & Governance Tech.
- The programme follows four phases comprising ten steps, covering applications, capability building, incubation, validation, and acceleration.
- Applications close on 30 November 2026, with the programme culminating in an Innovation Demo Day at Strathmore University in April 2027.
- Participation is free, including access to an online self-paced learning course. An optional verified certificate costs $20.
- Selected innovators receive entrepreneurial training, business development support, prototyping guidance, and opportunities to present their solutions.
- Women-led ventures, young innovators, and people of all abilities are actively encouraged, with special leadership awards available across the four tracks.
What You Receive
- Free entry into the sustainability innovation challenge and access to self-paced learning modules covering the SDGs, venture ethics, and circular business models.
- Online masterclasses covering Value-Based ESG, business models, unit economics, and venture development.
- A two-day innovation bootcamp focused on design thinking, customer discovery, and prototyping for selected participants.
- Community immersion and field-testing opportunities to validate solutions, gather feedback, and demonstrate early traction.
- Twelve months of one-to-one mentorship for the Top 15 finalists, including guidance from experienced professionals and venture development support.
- A six-week minimum viable product (MVP) development sprint and Theory of Change support for finalists.
- A Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) scholarship opportunity for the Top 3 finalists.
- An opportunity for selected finalists to pitch their innovations at the Annual Innovation Demo Day at Strathmore University in April 2027.
- Special leadership awards recognising women-led ventures, youth innovation, and inclusive solutions.
Who Can Apply
- Individuals aged 18 to 35 who live anywhere in Africa.
- Innovators with an idea, prototype, or early-stage venture addressing a sustainability challenge.
- Entrepreneurs developing solutions in financial inclusion, digital access, agriculture, clean energy, circular economy, healthcare, gender equality, civic technology, governance, or related areas.
- Individual applicants or teams with a proposed innovation that fits one of the four challenge tracks.
- Applicants without a registered business, previous investment, or completed product.
- Innovators willing to participate in online training, project validation, and subsequent selection stages.
For the Empowering Women through Innovation track, applicants should have a venture founded or co-led by women, or a solution whose primary beneficiaries are at least 60% women and girls.
How to Apply
- Visit the official My Little Big Thing 2026/2027 Sustainability Challenge page.
- Review the four innovation tracks and select the one that best matches the main problem your solution addresses.
- Select Start your application and complete the online application form.
- Provide your project name, selected track, and co-founder information if applying as a team.
- Prepare a 200-word essay explaining the problem, your proposed solution, and how the venture can sustain itself.
- Include a publicly accessible 2–3-minute introductory video presenting yourself and your innovation.
- Optionally attach a pitch deck or product image to support your application.
- Submit your application by 30 November 2026.
- Join the official programme community and complete the free self-paced certification course to qualify for the first application review.
Selection Process
- Application Period: Applications opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.
- Phase 1 – Open Call and Sensitisation: Applicants submit their ideas, join the programme community, and complete the self-paced certification course.
- Phase 2 – Capability Building: Applications and course completions undergo rolling bi-weekly evaluation. Selected participants advance to virtual masterclasses on sustainability, business models, and venture development.
- Phase 3 – Incubation, Immersion and Validation: Participants undertake a two-day innovation bootcamp, followed by approximately four to six weeks of community engagement, customer discovery, and field testing. An independent jury assesses their progress and submissions.
- Phase 4 – Acceleration and Demo Day: Selected innovators receive online pitch coaching and prepare to present their solutions at the Annual Innovation Demo Day at Strathmore University in April 2027.
Not every applicant will reach Demo Day. The Kenya-based bootcamp may require participants to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Sources and Verification
- Official My Little Big Thing 2026/2027 Sustainability Challenge programme page.
- Official My Little Big Thing Annual Challenge overview.
- Official My Little Big Thing Mentorship information.
Questions Applicants Ask
- Do I need a registered company? No. Applicants can submit an idea, prototype, or early-stage venture. Company registration, prior funding, and a completed product are not required.
- Does entry cost anything? No. Applications and the self-paced learning course are free. Applicants can optionally purchase a verified certificate for $20.
- Can I apply from outside Kenya? Yes. The challenge accepts applicants aged 18 to 35 living anywhere in Africa. Most early activities take place online, although participants attending the Kenya-based bootcamp must cover their own travel and accommodation.
- Do I need to submit a video? Yes. Applicants must provide an accessible 2–3-minute introductory video explaining themselves and their innovation.
- Is completing the online course compulsory? Yes. Completing the self-paced course is required for an application to advance to the first review stage. Purchasing the verified certificate is optional.
- Is funding guaranteed? No. The programme offers training, mentorship, scholarships for selected finalists, and investor exposure, but participation does not guarantee investment or a cash award.
Important Disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier.
Before applying, verify every timeline, eligibility requirement, fee, programme benefit, and application procedure on the official provider website.
Applicants should independently research the organising institution, its partners, and the authenticity of the opportunity.
Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding, investment, scholarship awards, or the conduct of third-party providers.
The My Little Big Thing Sustainability Challenge 2026/2027 offers young African innovators a structured opportunity to transform sustainability-focused ideas into practical ventures through free learning, mentorship, incubation, acceleration, and investor exposure. Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the official programme requirements and submit their applications before 30 November 2026.