Apply Now: SAIS Offers African Livestock Startups Up to €15,000 in Business Support
The Scaling Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS) programme has opened applications for its 2027 Livestock Investment Readiness Programme.
SAIS offers African agritech startups up to €15,000 in technical assistance to strengthen their businesses, attract investors and scale their operations.
The programme is designed for innovative, technology-driven businesses developing solutions across Africa’s livestock, dairy and aquaculture value chains. It will provide selected startups with tailored business development support, expert services, investment preparation and access to a network of investors and potential business partners.
Nigerian entrepreneurs and other African startup founders developing technology-based solutions for the livestock and aquaculture sectors are encouraged to apply.
Unlike conventional grant programmes, the SAIS initiative focuses on helping startups overcome business growth challenges and become investment-ready. Successful applicants will receive customised support based on their specific operational, technical and fundraising needs.
What Does the SAIS Livestock Programme Offer?
Selected startups will participate in a one-year investment readiness programme running from March 2027 to February 2028.
The programme provides the following benefits:
1. Up to €15,000 in Technical Assistance: Selected businesses will receive a technical assistance budget of up to €15,000 to access specialised services and professional expertise. This support can cover:
- Business strategy and consultancy services.
- Legal advice and regulatory compliance.
- Online marketing and customer acquisition.
- Product optimisation and market entry strategies.
- Licences and certifications.
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) support.
- Sales campaigns, marketing and public relations.
- Graphic design and employee training.
2. Investment and Fundraising Support: Participating startups will receive guidance on fundraising strategies, investment preparation and due diligence. They will also gain access to curated investor pitch sessions and introductions to potential investors and funding institutions.
3. International Networking Opportunities: Selected businesses will receive fully sponsored trips to two in-person SAIS community events held alongside the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as one additional sector conference.
4. Access to a Startup Network: Participants will join a community of more than 100 portfolio companies, providing opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors and potential business partners.
5. Additional Funding Opportunities: Eligible startups within the SAIS community may also access a scale-up grant of up to €40,000 and revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000, subject to the applicable eligibility and selection requirements.
Importantly, the programme does not take equity in participating businesses.
Focus Areas of the Programme
The 2027 Livestock Investment Readiness Programme prioritises technology-driven startups developing solutions that strengthen dairy and aquaculture value chains across Africa.
The key focus areas include:
- Dairy: Animal health, genetics, feed and forage innovations, particularly solutions relevant to dairy value chains in East Africa, including Kenya and Ethiopia.
- Aquaculture: Genetics, feed innovations and other technology-driven solutions that improve aquaculture productivity, particularly in West African markets such as Nigeria and Senegal.
Startups operating in other African countries are also encouraged to apply, provided their innovations, business models or solutions offer relevant opportunities to strengthen these priority value chains.
Who Can Apply?
The SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027 is open to for-profit startups registered in African countries.
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- The business must be legally registered in an African country.
- The startup must have a management team comprising at least two people.
- The business must be at the pre-seed to Series A fundraising stage.
- The startup must have developed at least a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Businesses with recurring revenue, paying customers and established partnerships are particularly encouraged.
- The startup must operate in a sector that strengthens dairy or aquaculture value chains.
- The business must use technology to improve its products, services, operations or ability to scale.
Startups from Nigeria and other African countries outside the programme’s priority regions can apply if they demonstrate how their solutions can contribute to the targeted value chains.
Programme Expectations
Successful applicants will be expected to actively participate in the programme and work with their assigned SAIS advisors and technical experts.
Participating startups must:
- Appoint a member of their management team as the primary contact for SAIS, committing an average of two hours weekly throughout the programme.
- Send at least one team member to two in-person SAIS community events.
- Provide regular updates on business performance, including revenue, customers, users, funding and employment figures.
- Support impact assessments by facilitating access to customers and clients for surveys.
- Work with assigned experts and service providers to implement agreed business improvement activities.
The programme is designed to provide practical, hands-on support rather than a general training curriculum.
Application Deadline and Programme Timeline
The application deadline for the SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027 is November 15, 2026.
The programme is expected to follow this schedule:
- November 15, 2026: Application deadline.
- November 16–30, 2026: Application screening and interviews.
- December 2026: Communication of selection decisions.
- January 2027: Virtual programme kick-off and onboarding.
- February 22, 2027: SAIStival 2027 in Nairobi, Kenya.
- February 24–25, 2027: Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi.
- March 2027 – February 2028: Delivery of investment readiness services, technical assistance and business advisory support.
- February 2028: Programme graduation at SAIStival 2028.
How to Apply for the SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027
Interested and eligible African startup founders can apply online through the programme’s official application portal.
To submit an application:
- Visit the official SAIS Livestock Programme application portal.
- Review the eligibility requirements and programme information.
- Complete the application form with your personal and company details.
- Provide information about your business model, products, technology, customers, revenue and current business operations.
- Explain your startup’s major growth challenges and the technical assistance it requires.
- Upload your company’s pitch deck in PDF, Word or PowerPoint format, as requested.
- Review your application and submit it before the deadline.
Applicants should prepare relevant business information, including company registration details, financial performance, customer numbers, product development progress and existing investment records.
Application deadline: November 15, 2026.
About the SAIS Programme
The Scaling Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS) initiative is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the Gates Foundation.
The programme supports African startups using digital innovations and technology to address challenges across agriculture, food systems and related value chains.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Programme: SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027
Opportunity: Business development and investment readiness support
Funding support: Up to €15,000 in technical assistance
Additional opportunities: Scale-up grants of up to €40,000 and working capital loans of up to €50,000 for eligible startups
Eligible applicants: For-profit startups registered in African countries
Focus sectors: Dairy, aquaculture and livestock technology
Programme duration: March 2027 – February 2028
Application deadline: November 15, 2026
APPLY HERE: https://partner.equisy.io/intake-apply/Eisi4jdws2t40r11fbkxbxNA
Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to review the official application requirements and submit their applications before the closing date.
