FAQ

Apply online venturespace.cgiar.org/login. Applications are open until April 16, 2025 (23:59 PM, CAT). Hardcopies submitted physically or soft-copies via email will not be accepted.

The AgriTech4Rwanda Innovation Challenge is open to national and International Agri-Tech innovators operating in Rwanda. Participants can include individuals (e.g. entrepreneurs, practitioners, students, researchers, and scientists) representing innovative startups, and small and medium-sized companies. Participants should meet the following criteria:

• A team must include at least 2 people who have taken a full-time commitment to their project.
• The solution must address a real challenge hindering food security and climate resilience in Rwanda and fall under at least one of the program’s six priority areas indicated in the call for applications.
• Applicants must show a proof-of-concept (POC) or minimum-viable-product (MVP).
• Applicants must show some measurable indicators of market validation, such as users/paying customers, pipeline of potential users/paying customers, revenues if any, etc.
• Applicants can only submit original work for which they are the sole inventors and copyright holders. In the case of a group of co-founders, the names and ages of all authors must be reported in the application form and will be considered as a single application.
• Applications must be submitted in English and participants must have the capacity to participate in a project delivered entirely in English.

Important Note: Incomplete applications that do not comply with the terms and conditions specified in the call, or are submitted after the deadline, or outside the application portal, will not be considered for evaluation.

The AgriTech4Rwanda Innovation Challenge is a program designed specifically for early-stage Agri-Tech ventures in Rwanda. At this stage, you must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Proof of Concept (POC) with a few to many paying customers. This program will support and prepare you to scale up a solid go-to-market strategy through technical validation and access to the market. Selected applicants in the growth stage and beyond with a sustainable business model may be invited to pitch their solutions to investors at the demo day.

Ireme Invest is going to prioritize applications that focus on the following agricultural adaptation solutions:

• Irrigation Solutions: Addressing droughts and dry spells
• Resilient Livestock Practices: Innovations for cows and goats
• Precision Farming: Enhancing productivity through data-driven technologies
• Climate & Weather Services (CWS): Real-time information for better decision-making
• Climate-Resilient Inputs: Drought-tolerant seeds, fertilizers, and nutrient-rich crops
• Post-Harvest Management: Cold storage, digitized storage, and processing solutions
• Other Innovative AgriTech Solutions that address key climate adaptation needs

You can only submit one application. Please indicate all relevant priority areas in the form.

No, solutions do not necessarily need to originate from the agriculture and food industries. We are looking for all types of technologies that can be applied to the agri-tech sector in Rwanda.

A total of 25 businesses will be shortlisted for the program. These businesses will participate in a three-day bootcamp, which will conclude with the selection of 15 businesses to join the acceleration program. During the acceleration phase, these 15 businesses will receive tailored support and mentorship. At the end of the program, they will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions, and up to 5 businesses will be selected to receive a recoverable grant of up to 300,000,000 RWF.

It is mandatory to go through the program (the workshops and coaching sessions). Only participants that have been selected and are participating in the program will be eligible to access the grant funding.

Program Duration: The program will run for approximately 7 months, starting from the Call for Applications on March 18, 2025, and concluding with Demo Day on October 30, 2025.

Key Stages & Timeline:

1.Call for Applications (March – April 2025) March 18, 2025 – Applications open. April 4, 2025 – Q&A event for applicants. April 16, 2025 – Deadline for applications.

2. Selection & Interviews (May 2025) May 1 – May 19, 2025 – Application review and selection of 25 businesses. May 5 – May 9, 2025 – Interviews & needs assessment.

3. Bootcamp Preparation (May – Early July 2025) May 19 – July 4, 2025 – Bootcamp prep (6 weeks) to finalize logistics, onboarding, and curriculum.

4. Bootcamp (July 2025) July 7 – July 10, 2025 – Three-days bootcamp 25 shortlisted businesses participate. At the end, 15 businesses will be selected for the Acceleration Program.

5. Acceleration Program (July – October 2025) July 28 – October 30, 2025 – The 15 selected businesses go through the Acceleration Program, receiving tailored support, mentorship, and training.

6. Demo Day & Final Selection (October 2025) October 30, 2025 – Demo Day The 15 businesses will pitch their solutions. Up to 5 businesses will be selected to receive a recoverable grant of up to 300,000,000 RWF

When to Submit Application for the program: The Call for Applications is open from March 18 to April 16, 2025. The bootcamp (July 7-10) will determine the final 15 businesses that enter acceleration. Businesses will pitch for funding during Demo Day on October 30, 2025. Up to 5 businesses will be selected for funding.

• Access to business and agricultural adaptation focused training and workshops
• Individualized coaching sessions
• Opportunity to apply for recoverable grant funding of up to 300,000,000 RWF

Yes, we are looking for solutions that are implemented in Rwanda. Additionally, you will have to be in Rwanda to attend the workshops and coaching sessions.

Yes, the organization needs to be registered in Rwanda and the official certificate of registration needs to be provided.

Agricultural adaptation refers to the process of adjusting farming practices, techniques, and systems in response to changes or challenges in the environment, climate, market conditions, or other factors. It involves implementing strategies to minimize the negative impacts of these changes on agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability. Agricultural adaptation may include measures such as altering crop varieties, improving irrigation systems, implementing conservation practices, diversifying crops, adopting new technologies, and enhancing soil management practices to better suit changing conditions and optimize agricultural outcomes. Overall, agricultural adaptation aims to enhance the resilience of farming systems and enable them to thrive in a changing and often unpredictable environment.

Applicants will receive an email confirmation upon submission of their application. The review process will then begin and take approximately four weeks. Ultimately, 25 successful companies will be shortlisted. We appreciate the time and effort applicants put into their submissions. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for our innovation challenges, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications that are not selected.

If you are currently part of another accelerator program, we suggest that you focus on that program only.

Yes, the bootcamp will be an in-person event taking place in July. Participation of shortlisted candidates will be informed through email and will have to confirm their ability to attend or nominate a team member to attend on their behalf.

Rwanda Green Fund in partnership with the CGIAR Hub for sustainable finance (ImpactSF) and the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform under the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT will all be the data controller; collects, manages, and stores data.

Feel free to reach out to us: application@greenfund.rw

Also, have look at our website to find out more about us and our services: iremeinvest.rw