Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme (Challenger D&G) 2025/2026
The Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme (Challenger D&G) is a transformative regional initiative that empowers startups developing innovative digital, green, and circular solutions to address sustainability challenges across Southern Africa.
The 2025/2026 edition will support a new generation of entrepreneurs tackling urgent local and global issues such as climate change, food and water security, ecosystem resilience, clean energy transition, green mobility, and waste management. By combining digital innovation with environmental sustainability, the programme aims to unlock scalable business models that advance inclusive green growth across the region.
Collaborative Regional Initiative
Challenger D&G is funded by Team Europe partners — including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Estonia — alongside the European Commission. It is delivered through a coalition of leading venture ecosystem partners: Civitta, mLab, GrowthAfrica, Latitude59, and Startup Wise Guys.
Together, these partners bring world-class entrepreneurial training, investment expertise, and international networks to help participating startups strengthen their operations, expand their markets, and attract investment.
Strategic Focus Areas
The programme focuses on digital and green innovations that drive climate adaptation, environmental resilience, and sustainable resource use. Startups operating in any of the following thematic areas are eligible to apply:
- Climate adaptation and resilience through digital and green innovation
- Food security and climate-smart agriculture (e.g., precision farming, traceability, satellite and blockchain solutions)
- Water resource management (IoT monitoring, leak detection, circular reuse solutions)
- Clean and renewable energy access (solar microgrids, demand forecasting, pay-as-you-go platforms)
- Green mobility and logistics (e-mobility, carbon tracking, route optimisation)
- Sustainable built environment (digital twins, eco-friendly materials, smart construction management)
- Green finance and carbon markets (ESG data platforms, microloans, tokenised carbon credits)
- Citizen engagement and sustainability data (AI-driven tools, crowdsourced platforms, gamified eco-literacy applications)
What the Programme Offers
Selected startups will participate in a virtual acceleration programme running from November 2025 to May 2026. The curriculum is designed to help founders refine their business models, strengthen leadership capabilities, and scale solutions toward investment readiness.
Key components include:
- Mentorship and coaching from top entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts from Africa and Europe
- Fundraising training and direct connections to venture capitalists, corporate partners, and potential investors
- Market visibility and networking through global events such as Latitude59 in Nairobi (December 2025) and Latitude59 Estonia (May 2026)
- Access to a regional startup community, fostering collaboration, peer learning, and joint opportunities across borders
Up to 25 startups will be selected for tailored acceleration support. The top three to six will be invited to attend Latitude59 in Nairobi, while the top three startups will represent the cohort at Latitude59 in Estonia. A €15,000 grant prize pool will be shared among the winning startups at the programme’s conclusion.
Eligibility Requirements
Challenger D&G targets early-stage startups that are:
- Registered in South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana
- No more than five years old
- Focused on at least one of the identified digital or green innovation areas
- Ready for advanced pilot implementation or market entry (Technology Readiness Level 4–7 minimum)
The programme strongly encourages applications from youth-led, female-led, and black-owned enterprises that demonstrate a commitment to inclusive, sustainable innovation.
Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal detailing:
- Problem statement and proposed solution
- Competitor and market analysis
- Business model and route-to-market plan
- Risk assessment and sustainability strategy
- Team biographies and supporting credentials
Mandatory documentation includes:
- CIPC registration certificate
- Company profile and shareholding structure (if applicable)
- Valid tax certificate
- Identification for the main contact
- Short CVs for all team members
Application Timeline
- Applications open: 21 October 2025
- Application deadline: 14 November 2025
- Programme launch and onboarding: 21 November 2025
- In-person bootcamp: 8–9 December 2025, Pretoria/Johannesburg
- Programme closes: May 2026
Interested startups must submit their full proposals — including a pitch video and all required documentation.
Building the Next Generation of Green Innovators
The Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme offers more than funding — it provides a platform for visionary startups to grow into regional leaders in digital transformation and green innovation. By supporting high-impact ideas with expert mentorship, funding access, and international visibility, the programme positions Southern African entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to the global sustainability transition.
Through collaboration, innovation, and inclusion, Challenger D&G seeks to empower startups to create tangible environmental and social change — shaping a resilient, low-carbon future for Southern Africa and beyond.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
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