About this opportunity
The Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Program supports early-stage, impact-driven ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa that are strengthening agriculture and food systems through market-based solutions. It looks for founders whose work improves the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers, strengthens food security, and helps communities respond to climate-related challenges.
Selected ventures receive a $10,000 equity-free stipend and $10,000 in AWS credits, alongside professional advisors, workshops covering leadership development, capital strategy and product-market fit, and access to Halcyon's global community of more than 650 founders. Benefits continue after the programme is completed.
The programme combines virtual programming with two in-person residencies. The first residency takes place in Accra, Ghana from 11 to 19 March 2027, and the second in Nairobi, Kenya from 28 May to 4 June 2027. Virtual meetings are scheduled for 9 April, 23 April and 7 May 2027, following a virtual kickoff on 9 February 2027.
Halcyon is looking for ventures that are past the idea stage. Applicants should have a working minimum viable product with realistic potential to scale, be at the paid-pilot or post-revenue stage, and show early evidence of commercial traction and of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems.
What you receive
- A $10,000 equity-free stipend per venture
- $10,000 in AWS credits
- Access to Halcyon's global community of more than 650 founders
- Professional advisors
- Workshops covering leadership development, capital strategy and product-market fit
- Networking opportunities with investors and other stakeholders
- Two in-person residencies, in Accra, Ghana from 11 to 19 March 2027 and in Nairobi, Kenya from 28 May to 4 June 2027
- Continued benefits after completing the programme
Who can apply
- Be based in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Have a working minimum viable product with realistic potential to scale
- Be at the paid-pilot or post-revenue stage
- Demonstrate early commercial traction through paid pilots, revenue, customer contracts or similar evidence of market demand
- Show early evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems
- Be working full-time on the venture
- The applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making authority
- Be at least 21 years old by the start of the programme
- Be fluent in English
- Commit to all programme activities, residencies, events and virtual sessions
- Develop a product and venture contributing to one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Use a market-based approach to strengthen agriculture and food systems
- Prioritise improving the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers and low-income or vulnerable communities
Who should not apply
- An applicant may apply with up to one co-founder only
Documents to prepare
- Completed online application on the Halcyon applicant portal
- Evidence of venture stage, such as paid pilots, revenue or customer contracts
- Evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, low-income or vulnerable communities, or food systems
How to apply
- Open the official Halcyon programme page for the Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Program 2027
- Go to the Halcyon applicant portal and create an account
- Complete the application with venture stage, traction, impact and founder details
- Submit by the initial deadline for consideration of 23 October 2026. The invitational deadline is 30 October 2026
Selection process
- Initial deadline for consideration: 23 October 2026
- Invitational deadline: 30 October 2026
- Pitch days: 7 and 8 December 2026
- Selected applicants notified: 18 December 2026
- Virtual kickoff: 9 February 2027
- Residency 1 in Accra, Ghana: 11 to 19 March 2027
- Virtual meetings: 9 April, 23 April and 7 May 2027
- Residency 2 in Nairobi, Kenya: 28 May to 4 June 2027
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
How much funding does the programme provide?
Selected ventures receive a $10,000 equity-free stipend and $10,000 in AWS credits.
Does Halcyon take equity?
No. The $10,000 stipend is equity-free.
Is the programme online or in person?
It is a hybrid programme. Virtual programming and virtual meetings are combined with two in-person residencies, in Accra, Ghana from 11 to 19 March 2027 and in Nairobi, Kenya from 28 May to 4 June 2027.
Can I apply with my co-founder?
The applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making authority, and may apply with up to one co-founder.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. There is no application fee.
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.
