Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9 : Food Systems – 6 octobre 2026

Contexte

The Jasiri Talent Investor Programme is inviting applications for Cohort 9, a 13-month entrepreneurship programme designed to support exceptional African talent before a venture exists. The programme provides founder-friendly funding, venture-building support, mentorship, infrastructure and practical guidance from problem identification and team formation through market validation and venture creation.

For Cohort 9, Jasiri is focusing specifically on Food Systems, creating an opportunity for ambitious Kenyan, Rwandan and Ethiopian professionals who want to build solutions addressing major challenges across Africa’s food value chains. Applicants do not need to arrive with a fully developed business idea or an existing startup. Jasiri evaluates the individual’s capability, track record and potential to build a meaningful venture.

What Is the Jasiri Talent Investor Programme?

Jasiri Talent Investor backs high-calibre African talent at the pre-idea, pre-team and pre-venture stage. Rather than requiring applicants to already have a company, the programme brings talented individuals together to identify important problems, form founding teams, test solutions and create new ventures.

The programme lasts 13 months and combines online learning, a fully supported residential phase in Rwanda and up to nine months of venture creation.

Jasiri reports that its programme has selected hundreds of fellows and supported the creation of new ventures and jobs across East Africa.

Cohort 9 Focus: Food Systems

Cohort 9 is centred on Food Systems, reflecting Jasiri’s strategic decision to organise cohorts around specific challenge areas.

The focus covers opportunities across different parts of the food system, meaning applicants can approach the sector from different professional backgrounds. Engineers, scientists, software developers, data specialists, financiers, marketers, operators and other professionals can all contribute to building food systems ventures.

A previous background in agriculture or food systems is not required. Instead, Jasiri is looking for people with strong capabilities, evidence of achievement and a genuine commitment to solving important problems in the sector.

Missions et responsabilités

• Identify important problems across Africa’s food value chains
• Form founding teams from scratch with other ambitious participants
• Test, validate and change ideas based on evidence
• Build a new venture focused on food systems
• Participate in online learning, a residential phase and venture creation

Profil recherché

• Be a Kenyan, Rwandan or Ethiopian citizen, including citizens living in the diaspora
• Be prepared to pursue entrepreneurship full-time
• Be able to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda for the three-month Residential Intensive
• Be committed to building a new venture focused on food systems
• Be willing to co-found a venture from scratch with other ambitious participants
• Be open to testing, validating and changing an idea based on evidence
• Demonstrate substantial depth in professional field (software, hardware, science, data, finance, operations, sales or another relevant area)
• Provide evidence of capability, track record and achievement (building a business, side venture, selling to customers, leading projects, creating measurable value)
• Be problem-solvers with a strong personal advantage (technical expertise, commercial experience, operational ability)

Conditions et avantages

• Online Jumpstart phase (starting January 18, 2027) with USD 30 in communication support
• Fully covered three-month Residential Intensive in Rwanda (February 17 to May 23, 2027) including travel to/from Rwanda, accommodation, meals, local transport, health insurance, and USD 250 per month living support
• Market-validation stage funding: up to USD 3,000 per team for prototyping and testing
• Venture Creation grant of USD 28,200 per venture (grant-based, no equity taken under the Talent Investor programme), disbursed against milestones
• Support from venture builders, coaches and specialist experts
• Access to partner benefits and shared workspaces in Kigali, Nairobi and Addis Ababa

Dossier de candidature

• Application form presenting experience, skills and track record
• Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment demonstrating readiness and motivation
• Psychometric assessment
• Short video explaining why Jasiri and why now
• Participation in live group assessments and casework during Selection Conference
• Interviews discussing entrepreneurial history and evidence of achievement

Comment postuler

Interested candidates should complete the Jasiri Talent Investor application through the official application portal.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

Applicants should verify all current eligibility requirements, programme dates, funding terms and application information directly with Jasiri before submitting their applications.

Application deadline : October 12, 2026 (Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early submission is strongly encouraged).