Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
Applications are now open for the 2027 SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme. The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme is offered by ‘Scaling Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS)’, a project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and co-funded by the Gates Foundation.
Requirements
SAIS is looking for innovative, technology-driven start-ups strengthening livestock value chains across Africa, with a particular focus on:
- Dairy: Animal health, genetics, feed and forage, particularly relevant to dairy value chains in East Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia
- Aquaculture: Genetics and feed innovations, particularly relevant to aquaculture value chains in West Africa (Nigeria and Senegal).
Start-ups based in other African countries are equally encouraged to apply, these must prove that their innovations, solutions or business models offer relevant learnings or opportunities to strengthen these priority value chains.
Eligibility Requirements
Geography & Legal-Entity
For-profit and registered in Africa
Team
Management team of at least two people
Fundraising Stage
Pre-seed through Series A
Traction
At least MVP, ideally recurring revenue, paying customers and established partnerships
Impact Alignment
Strengthening value chains in dairy and aquaculture
Tech Angle
Use tech to scale
Benefits
A one-year, tailor-made support programme including:
- Up to €15,000 in technical assistance budget for consultancies, expert support, legal advice, online marketing, licenses, certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market entry strategies, customer acquisition & sales campaigns, marketing & PR, graphic design, employee training, and more.
- Fully sponsored trips to two in-person community events back-to-back with the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi (February of each year), and one additional sector conference.
- Investment and partnership facilitation through invite-only pitch sessions with a curated network of investors, bespoke introductions to investors & funds, guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence.
- A community of 100+ portfolio companies.
Additional opportunities for eligible start-ups:
- SAIS Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 that supports start-ups from the SAIS community that are ready to scale their market reach and deepen their impact.
- Access to revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with 9-month maturity at 1.5% interest.
Programme Timeline:
- 15 November 2026: Deadline to apply(opens in new tab).
- 16 – 30 November 2026: Screening and interviews with applicants.
- December 2026: Communication of selection decision.
- January 2027: Virtual kick-off and onboarding.
- 22. February 2027: SAIStival 2027, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 24 – 25 February 2027: Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
- March 2027 to February 2028: Deployment of the investment readiness programme services & budget for your support needs, an additional conference visit and virtual check-ins with your SAIS advisor.
- February 2028: Graduation at SAIStival 2028.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme
