Application Deadline: : 14 November 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026 Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme. The Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme (Challenger D&G) is an innovative, multi-country initiative dedicated to fostering impactful digital, green, and circular solutions for sustainability across Southern Africa. The programme directly addresses urgent regional and global challenges – climate change, food and water security, ecosystem resilience, energy transition, green mobility, smart built environments, waste management, and environmental data capacity.
Funded by Team Europe partners (Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia) and the European Commission and delivered by a coalition of top venture ecosystem players (Civitta, mLab, GrowthAfrica, Latitude59, Startup Wise Guys), Challenger D&G is structured to boost investment-readiness, practical business skills, international market connections, and fundraising confidence for a new cohort of startups.
Programme Scope and Strategic Areas:
- Digital and green innovations for climate adaptation and resilience
- Food security and climate-smart agriculture (precision farming, traceability, satellite data, blockchain)
- Water resource management (IoT monitoring, leak detection, circular solutions)
- Clean energy access (solar microgrids, demand forecasting, pay-as-you-go platforms)
- Green mobility and logistics (e-mobility, carbon tracking, route optimization)
- Sustainable built environment and construction (digital twins, green materials, smart resource management)
- Green finance and carbon markets (ESG platforms, microloans, tokenized carbon credits)
- Citizen engagement and data for sustainability (AI, crowdsourced apps, gamified eco-literacy)
Eligibility Requirements
- Early-stage startups (≤ 5 years old), registered in South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana
- Strong preference for youth, female, and/or black-owned enterprises
- Solutions must fit at least one Challenger D&G focus area and be ready for advanced pilot or market entry (TRL 4–7 minimum)
- Detailed problem statement, solution outline, competitor analysis, business model, route-to-market/sustainability plan, team bios, risk analysis, and pitch video required
- Mandatory documents: CIPC registration, shareholding structure (if applicable), company profile, tax certificate, ID for main contact, concise team CVs
Benefits
- Virtual acceleration (Nov 2025–May 2026) focused on business model refinement, scaling strategies, and leadership training
- One-on-one and peer mentorship from Africa/Europe’s top entrepreneurs, investors, and technical experts
- Training to perfect fundraising strategy and pitch; direct links to venture funders and corporate partners
- Market visibility via events (Latitude59 in Nairobi and Estonia), global platforms, media and partner networks
- Cohort community access to a like-minded network of startups, shared learning, regional and international connections
Competitive benefits:
- Up to 25 startups selected for tailored acceleration
- Top 3–6 startups will attend Latitude59 in Nairobi (Dec 2025); top 3 will go to Latitude59 Estonia (May 2026)
- €15,000 (Euro) grant prize pool awarded to the top 3 startups at programme end
Programme Timeline:
- Applications open: 21 October 2025
- Application deadline: 14 November 2025
- Programme launch/onboarding: 21 November 2025
- In-person bootcamp: 8–9 December 2025, Pretoria/Johannesburg
- Programme closes: May 2026
How to apply:
Submit full proposals (including pitch video and required docs) via the F6S portal: https://www.f6s.com/digital-green-tech-innovation-ap/about
For queries: [email protected]
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme
