11/08/2025
π₯ This Weekβs Top Startup Funding, Fellowship & Accelerator Calls for African Founders & Entrepreneurs
Antler Residency Lagos (October Cohort)
π° $100K+ pre-seed to turn big ideas into real companies.
Eligibility: Idea stage or MVP
π
Deadline: Rolling
π Apply here: https://www.antler.co/apply-new
SheScales Africa β Opolo Global Innovation
π‘ 6-week investment readiness program for female founders shaping Africaβs future.
Eligibility: Tech or tech-enabled products
π
Deadline: August 19, 2025
π Apply here: https://shescales.opolo.global/
Reckitt Catalyst Accelerator
πΈ US$30K equity to scale underrepresented founders improving access to healthcare or WASH.
Eligibility: Africa, Asia, LATAM, U.S.
π
Deadline: August 17, 2025
π Apply here: https://www.reckitt.com/our-impact/fairer-society/social-impact/
AfriLeap Capital Fund
πΈ Equity & catalytic capital for early-stage African startups
Eligibility: Pre-seed & Seed-stage companies, sector-agnostic
π Apply here:
https://afrileapcapital.com/apply-for-funding/
Female Funding Fit Programme β The French Embassy / WomHub
πΆ β¬10K catalytic funding for tech-enabled female founders.
Eligibility: Businesses in South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi
π
Deadline: August 21, 2025
π Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgABbKyu5RbxctRNzOiOt8Rvh0CWtqNTvyBv_pLkxjPngusQ/viewform?fbzx=3711243703784682573
MEST AI Startup Program 2026
π 12-month fully funded AI entrepreneurship program with up to $100K pre-seed investment.
Eligibility: African founders building AI-driven products in West Africa
π
Deadline: August 22, 2025 (Rolling review)
π Apply here: https://mestaistartupprogram.smapply.us/prog/mest_ai_startupprogram_class_of_2026/
Call: OPEN START Program β Open Startup & CEED Morocco
β‘ For African startups building fintech, AI, or deep-tech solutions.
Eligibility: Early to growth-stage startups.
π
Deadline: August 25, 2025
π Apply here: https://www.f6s.com/open-start/apply
Changemakers Innovation Challenge β ACT Foundation
π‘ Grants for youth using technology & innovation to create social impact.
Eligibility: Mobile health, farm automation, telemedicine, ed-tech, microfinance
π
Deadline: August 22, 2025
π Apply here: https://changemakers.actrustfoundation.org/
Women in Africa Deal Accelerator (Phase 2) β BCG
π Helping women-led businesses raise capital & scale.
Eligibility: FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, RetailTech, Agriculture Services, Health & Social Care, Childcare & Early Education, Hospitality & Domestic Services
π Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Cy_7LSFNaEKVWXKSYUTJGIxzxvqSW-ZMg9D9nVTUPe9UNTNONFZZT1dPMVpMM1I1SFc5N05WTkFEUi4u&route=shortur
Founder Institute Abuja Startup Accelerator
πThe worldβs largest pre-seed accelerator helping founders move from idea to traction.
Eligibility: Idea or early-stage entrepreneurs.
π
Deadline: Rolling (Fall 2025 cohort open)
π Apply: https://fi.co/apply/abuja
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