Selection
Timeline
Application period
Applications will be open from 7 August until 15 September. The evaluation of applications in due diligence will be conductuted in September and October.
The shortlisted teams will be approved by November, and the Applicants will be approved and the Performance-based agreements will be signed by December 2026.
Bootcamp
If you are one of the selected teams, you will be invited to travel to Tanzania and undergo an immersive bootcamp offering technical guidance, business mentorship, and pitch training.
Accelerator programme
If you are one of the selected innovators, you will participate in a fully sponsored accelerator program, combining business training and scientific technical assistance.
Demo Day
The accelerator program is officially adjourned with the Demo Day where you are given the opportunity to pitch your solutions to investors, industry experts, agribusinesses, scientists, governmental institutions, and partners alongside the other finalists.
If you are one of the top 3 teams, you will receive funding to support your innovation.
Post-acceleration support
The catalytic funding will support to grow the businesses of the top 3 teams.
The selection decision is communicated to all applicants by November 2026, in the form of an Evaluation Summary Report (ESR). This communication is for feedback only and does not constitute a funding decision. Negotiation of performance-based agreements begins in November 2026, with signature expected by December 2026.
Selection Process
Applications go through administrative screening, technical evaluation, and due diligence:
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Administrative screening is conducted by the dLab team; applicants receive a system-generated response by email.
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Technical evaluation is conducted by a team of evaluators via the Venture Space platform.
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The highest-scoring applications are visited by the D4DAT Joint Programme Management Committee for due diligence, which may be virtual or in person.
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Shortlisted applicants are then reviewed and approved by the Joint Programme Management Committee, after which dLab signs performance-based agreements with the founders of selected enterprises.
Applicants are informed of the outcome no later than four weeks after the submission deadline.