Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator 2027

Applications are open for the Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator 2027, a programme supporting early stage, impact driven ventures across Sub Saharan Africa that are developing market based solutions for agriculture and food security. The programme is designed for founders whose ventures are working to improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers, strengthen food systems and help communities respond to climate related challenges.

The accelerator is offered by Halcyon, a global organisation supporting impact driven entrepreneurs through business training, community, mentorship and access to resources. Halcyon’s programmes focus on ventures where measurable social or environmental impact is embedded within the business model.

The 2027 programme will use a hybrid format combining virtual programming with in person residencies. Selected entrepreneurs will participate in a residency in Accra, Ghana, followed by a second residency in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside virtual sessions designed to support venture development, leadership and growth.

About the Accelerator

The Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator supports entrepreneurs using commercially viable approaches to address challenges affecting agriculture and food systems across Sub Saharan Africa.

The programme places particular emphasis on ventures that serve smallholder farmers and low income or vulnerable communities. Solutions may address productivity, access to agricultural inputs, climate resilience, finance, food distribution, post harvest losses, market access, data and digital services.

Halcyon describes its impact driven ventures as for profit, scalable companies where impact is an essential part of the business model. The organisation evaluates ventures based on impact, scalability, innovation and the capabilities of the founding team.

The 2027 programme is expected to accept up to 10 ventures. The programme structure includes a virtual kickoff, an in person residency, monthly virtual meetings and a concluding in person residency.

Opportunity Benefits

• Up to $10,000 equity free stipend per venture

• $10,000 AWS credits

• Access to Halcyon’s global community of more than 650 founders

• Professional advisors

• Expert workshops on leadership development

• Training on capital strategy

• Support for product market fit

• Networking with investors and other stakeholders

• Opportunities to build relationships within the Halcyon alumni community

• Continued benefits and connections after completing the programme

• Participation in a residency in Accra, Ghana

• Participation in a residency in Nairobi, Kenya

• Virtual programming and founder development sessions

Programme Areas

Applicants may develop solutions in areas including:

• Climate smart and resilient agriculture

• Regenerative agriculture and soil health

• Drought resistant crops and agricultural inputs

• Farm productivity and precision agriculture

• Farm management technology

• Agricultural mechanisation

• Water efficiency and irrigation

• Solar powered irrigation

• Drought management

• Agricultural data and climate intelligence

• Digital agricultural extension services

• Agronomic advisory services

• Weather and climate information

• Early warning systems

• Market access and farmer aggregation

• Agricultural marketplaces

• Cooperative and farmer platforms

• Off take solutions

• Agri fintech and farmer financial resilience

• Agricultural credit and input financing

• Agricultural payments and insurance

• Supply chain and logistics

• Cold chain solutions

• Post harvest loss reduction

• Storage, cooling and processing

• Food value addition

• Food security and nutrition

• Affordable food access

• Traceability and transparency

• Quality grading and certification

• Resilient agricultural value chains

• Other technology enabled agriculture and food security solutions

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator, applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be based in Sub Saharan Africa

• Be working on a venture that addresses agriculture, food security or a closely related challenge

• Have a minimum viable product or another workable version of the product

• Be beyond the idea stage

• Have users or paying customers

• Demonstrate early commercial traction through revenue, paid pilots, customer contracts or similar evidence of market demand

• Operate a for profit and scalable venture

• Use a market based approach to strengthen agriculture and food systems

• Demonstrate meaningful and measurable impact connected to one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

• Prioritise improving the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers or low income and vulnerable communities

• Work full time on the venture

• Be at least 21 years old by the start of the programme

• Be fluent in English

• Have primary decision making authority within the venture

• Apply as the chief executive officer or equivalent lead founder

• Participate fully in programme activities, virtual sessions, residencies and events

Selection Criteria

Halcyon evaluates ventures through four main areas:

• Impact: The venture should create measurable and meaningful change, particularly for underserved communities, with impact embedded in the core business model.

• Scalability: The venture should demonstrate potential to grow its reach, revenue and impact through a commercially viable model.

• Innovation: The product, process, business model or approach should provide distinctive value or introduce a meaningful improvement to an existing market.

• Talent: Founders should demonstrate the drive, capabilities and commitment needed to grow the venture and achieve its intended impact.

Halcyon’s selection process begins with an eligibility application. Ventures that meet the initial requirements and align with an upcoming programme may be invited to submit a more detailed second round application. Finalists may then pitch to a selection committee of external subject matter experts.

Programme Timeline

• Initial application deadline: October 23, 2026

• Invitational application deadline: October 30, 2026

• Pitch Days: December 7 and December 8, 2026

• Selected founders notified: December 18, 2026

• Virtual kickoff: February 9, 2027

• Accra residency: March 11 to March 19, 2027

• Virtual meetings: April 9, April 23 and May 7, 2027

• Nairobi residency: May 28 to June 4, 2027

The programme timeline combines virtual learning with two in person residencies intended to give founders practical opportunities for training, networking and venture development.

Required Application Information

Applicants should be prepared to provide information about:

• The venture and its business model

• The problem being addressed

• The product or solution

• Current stage of development

• Users and customers

• Revenue or other evidence of commercial traction

• Impact on smallholder farmers or vulnerable communities

• Market opportunity

• Scalability

• Innovation

• Founder background and experience

• Team composition

• Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

• Commitment to working full time on the venture

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that your venture is based in Sub Saharan Africa and fits the agriculture and food security focus.
2. Prepare information about your venture, product, customers, commercial traction, impact and founding team.
3. Complete Halcyon’s year round eligibility application through the official application platform.
4. If your venture meets the initial criteria and aligns with the 2027 programme, monitor your email for an invitation to the second round application.
5. Complete the invitational application within the stated application period if selected to advance.
6. Prepare for the pitch stage if invited as a finalist.
7. Ensure that you can commit fully to the virtual sessions, Accra residency, Nairobi residency and other required programme activities.