About this opportunity
If your venture helps smallholder farmers eat better, earn more and climate-proof what they grow, Halcyon built this accelerator for you. The 2027 Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security programme supports early-stage, market-based ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa that are strengthening agriculture and food systems, improving food security and helping communities adapt to climate-related challenges.
Selected founders join a hybrid programme that mixes virtual sessions with two in-person residencies, first in Accra, Ghana in March 2027, then in Nairobi, Kenya in May and June 2027. Each venture receives a USD 10,000 equity-free stipend plus USD 10,000 in AWS credits, professional advisors, workshops on leadership development, capital strategy and product market fit, and networking with investors. Halcyon also opens its community of more than 650 founders, with benefits that continue after the programme through its alumni network.
Halcyon is looking for post-revenue, pre-profit ventures where the founder works full time. You should have a working minimum viable product, early commercial traction through paid pilots, revenue or customer contracts, and early evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems. The applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power, and may apply with up to one co-founder.
Applications run through a two-step process. Everyone first submits an
Eligibility
form, and applicants who meet the criteria are invited to complete a second-round, invitational application. The initial
Application timeline
for consideration is 23 October 2026, with an invitational
Application timeline
of 30 October 2026.
What you receive
- USD 10,000 equity-free stipend per venture
- USD 10,000 in AWS credits
- Hybrid programme with virtual programming and two residencies, Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya
- Professional advisors and workshops with experts in leadership development, capital strategy and product market fit
- Networking with investors and varied stakeholders
- Access to Halcyon's global community of 650+ founders
- Continued benefits after the programme through the Halcyon alumni network
Who can apply
- Must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Venture must be post-revenue or pre-profit, working at the paid-pilot or post-revenue stage with a working minimum viable product and realistic potential to scale
- Must show early commercial traction and market validation through paid pilots, revenue, customer contracts or similar indicators of market demand
- Should show early evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems
- Applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power, and may apply with up to one co-founder
- Founder must be working full time on the venture and be at least 21 years of age by the start of the programme
- Must be fluent in English, as programming is delivered in English
- Must commit to participating in all residencies, programme activities, events, and in-person and virtual sessions
- Venture must use a market-based approach to strengthen agriculture and food systems and contribute toward one or more of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
Who should not apply
- Ventures that are not based in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Founders who are not working full time on the venture
- Applicants under 21 years of age by the start of the programme
How to apply
- Open the Halcyon eligibility form at https://halcyon.acceleratorapp.co/apply/program/halcyon-open-application and create your applicant profile
- Complete the eligibility form describing your venture, its stage, its impact on farmers or food systems, and your role as CEO or primary decision-maker
- Submit before the initial deadline of 23 October 2026 to be considered in the first review round
- If your eligibility application meets the criteria and is a fit for the programme, complete the second-round, invitational application by 30 October 2026
- Shortlisted ventures pitch on the pitch days of 7 and 8 December 2026, with selections notified on 18 December 2026
Selection process
- Halcyon scores each application on four criteria: impact, scalability, innovation and talent
- Eligibility form submissions are reviewed first, and qualifying applicants are invited to a second-round, invitational application
- Pitch days take place on 7 and 8 December 2026, and selected ventures are notified on 18 December 2026
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
How much does the accelerator cost the venture?
Nothing. The application is free, and each selected venture receives a USD 10,000 stipend that is equity-free, meaning Halcyon takes no ownership stake, plus USD 10,000 in AWS credits.
Where and when does the programme take place?
It is a hybrid programme. It starts with a virtual kickoff on 9 February 2027, continues with virtual meetings on 9 April, 23 April and 7 May 2027, and includes a residency in Accra, Ghana from 11 to 19 March 2027 and a second residency in Nairobi, Kenya from 28 May to 4 June 2027.
Can a co-founder apply alongside the CEO?
Yes. The applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power, and may apply with up to one co-founder.
What stage should the venture be at?
Halcyon seeks post-revenue, pre-profit ventures with a working minimum viable product and early commercial traction such as paid pilots, revenue or customer contracts.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
