About this opportunity
Jasiri Talent Investor backs the founder before the venture exists. Cohort 9 runs for 13 months and is built around one sector, food systems in Eastern Africa. You do not need a background in agriculture to apply. Engineers, operators, scientists, financiers and marketers all build food systems ventures, and the programme expects to teach the sector knowledge along the way.
The journey has three stages. Jasiri Jumpstart is one month online and begins on 18 January 2027. The Residential Intensive then runs for three months in Kigali, Rwanda from 17 February to 23 May 2027, with travel, accommodation, meals, local transport and health insurance covered. Venture Creation follows for up to nine months, launched in Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia.
The funding is staged, and each part is earned as you progress. Teams can receive up to USD 3,000 for prototyping and testing once they reach the market validation stage. The venture creation grant is USD 28,000 per venture, released in three milestone-gated tranches as the venture hits its milestones. Jasiri takes no equity, and there is no fee to apply.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying earlier means hearing back earlier. From the moment Jumpstart begins the programme is a full-time commitment, and selected fellows must be able to relocate to Kigali for the residential phase.
What you receive
- Jasiri Jumpstart, a one month online venture preparation phase starting 18 January 2027
- Three month Residential Intensive in Kigali, Rwanda from 17 February to 23 May 2027
- Travel to and from Rwanda, accommodation, meals, local transport and health insurance fully covered during the Residential Intensive
- USD 30 communication support during the online Jumpstart phase
- USD 250 per month living support for the three months of the Residential Intensive
- Up to USD 3,000 per team for prototyping and testing once you reach the market validation stage
- USD 28,000 venture creation grant per venture, released in three milestone-gated tranches
- Hands-on venture builders, coaches and vetted sector experts
- Partner value and credits from AWS, Notion, Perplexity and HubSpot
- Shared workspace access in Kigali, Nairobi and Addis Ababa
- Up to nine months of venture creation support in Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia
- No equity taken by Jasiri, the venture creation funding is grant based
Who can apply
- You are a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia, whether you live at home or in the diaspora
- You are ready to pursue entrepreneurship full-time as a career
- You can relocate to Kigali, Rwanda for the three month Residential Intensive, which is mandatory and in person
- You are committed to building a new venture in food systems
- You are willing to co-found and collaborate with other participants
- You are open to validating your idea and changing it when the evidence says so
- You have depth in a field such as software, hardware, science, data, finance, operations or sales, with real work to show for it rather than credentials alone
- You have proof that you have built something before, such as a business, a side venture or a project with paying customers
- You have a record of achievement and value creation wherever you have focused your attention
- Diaspora applicants are welcome as long as they commit to building the venture in Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia
- Pre-formed co-founder pairs may apply to the same cohort, but each person applies separately and is assessed individually
- Any binding commitment to an existing venture, such as investor obligations or contracts, is a disqualifier
- If your existing venture has already reached product-market fit, the Jasiri Growth Accelerator is the entry point instead
Who should not apply
- Ventures outside food systems are not considered for Cohort 9
- Existing ventures that have already reached product-market fit
- Applicants with binding commitments to another venture
- No salary or allowance is paid during the Venture Creation stage
Documents to prepare
- Your entrepreneurial experience, technical skillset, strengths and track record
- Evidence of businesses, ventures or projects you have built before
- A short video answering why Jasiri and why now
How to apply
- Open the Cohort 9 application form on the Jasiri Talent Investor application page and create your profile.
- Complete Stage 1 by presenting your entrepreneurial experience, technical skillset, strengths and track record.
- Complete Stage 2, the Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment of your founding intent and readiness to build.
- Complete Stage 3 by uploading a short video on why Jasiri and why now, then take the psychometric assessment.
- If you are shortlisted, join the Stage 4 Selection Conference, a live assessment where you work in groups on challenges and casework with other candidates.
- Join the Stage 5 interview conversation about your evidence and entrepreneurial history.
- Receive your Stage 6 offer and, if selected, begin with Jasiri Jumpstart on 18 January 2027.
Selection process
- Stage 1: Application form covering entrepreneurial experience, technical skillset, strengths and track record.
- Stage 2: Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment of founding intent and readiness to build.
- Stage 3: Psychometric assessment plus a short video on why Jasiri and why now.
- Stage 4: Selection Conference, a live group assessment with challenges and casework alongside other candidates.
- Stage 5: Interviews, an open conversation about your evidence and entrepreneurial history.
- Stage 6: Offer to join Cohort 9, with the programme beginning at Jasiri Jumpstart in January 2027.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier applications receive feedback earlier.
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Can I apply with an existing idea?
Yes, but it must focus on creating access and have the potential to become a market-creating innovation, reaching people who are currently underserved rather than competing for existing customers. Jasiri evaluates the founder rather than the idea, and any binding commitment to one idea, such as investor obligations or contracts, is a disqualifier.
Do I need a food systems background?
No. Domain depth helps, but engineers, operators, scientists, financiers and salespeople all build food systems ventures. What matters is a genuine appetite for solving problems in the sector.
Does Jasiri take equity in my venture?
No. Venture creation funding in East Africa through this programme is grant based and released against milestones.
Do I need to quit my job to apply?
No, you can apply while still employed. However, selected fellows commit full-time starting with Jumpstart in January 2027, with no side engagements for the duration of the programme.
Can candidates apply from the diaspora?
Yes. Citizens of Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia living abroad are encouraged to apply, as long as they are committed to building a venture in one of the three countries. The three month Residential Intensive in Rwanda is mandatory and in person.
Does getting selected mean I receive everything in the offer?
No. The programme is staged and progression is earned at every stage. The Residential Intensive has its own gates, validation funds unlock when your team reaches the validation stage, and the venture creation grant is released in three tranches as your venture hits its milestones.
In what currency will I receive funds?
All funds are disbursed in local currencies, Rwandan Francs, Kenyan Shillings or Ethiopian Birr, using a predetermined annual exchange rate.
When does the application close?
Jasiri reviews Cohort 9 applications on a rolling basis and does not publish a closing date. Applying sooner means receiving feedback sooner.
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.
