The Land Accelerator 2021

The Land Accelerator is a skills-building program and curated network for entrepreneurs who restore degraded forests and farmland. It is anchored by an intensive week-long workshop when the cohort meets in person.

Top 100 companies will join us for exclusive weekly training and feedback on their progress

$5,000USD Innovation Grants and a pitch during a pan-Africa Demo Day will be awarded to the top 10 companies who participate and grow with us

The Accelerator contributes to efforts to restore hundreds of millions of hectares of land through the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), Initiative 20×20 in Latin America, and the Bonn Challenge. There is no fee for the program and the program does not take equity thanks to the generous support of the the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), DOEN Foundation and the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa.

The Land Accelerator has been held twice in Africa and is returning to Nairobi for the third time in October this year. The program will also be launching in South Asia and in Latin America in 2021.

The Program  Overall Objectives In 2021, WRI and our partners at Fledge are taking a novel approach to the Land Accelerator Africa. This  year, we are expanding the size of our cohort and selecting 100 entrepreneurs from across the continent to join us for an all-virtual business creation and growth accelerator. By the end of the program,  entrepreneurs will have accessed the trainings and tools need to complete:

• A compelling one-minute pitch to hook investors, customers, and potential partners

• A 10-12 slide pitch deck targeted towards investors

• An environmental indicator measurement, management, and marketing plan

• A 3-5-year financial model to visualize growth projections and to identify capital needs

• Increased confidence in your business’s mission and operations

• And more! 

.

Are you an entrepreneur who’s interested in joining?

Applications are currently open for entrepreneurs from across Africa. All restoration entrepreneurs are invited to apply, free of charge.

You should apply if:

• You are working to improve a degraded landscape through a business approach. This includes climate-smart agriculture, sustainable forestry, reforestation, non-timber forest products, and similar activities
• You are interested in raising money for your venture
• You want to learn fast, both in the classroom and by connecting with mentors and other entrepreneurs

 Why participate?  

All restoration entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to the Land Accelerator. The top 100 applicants  will be accepted to the program and receive access to:  

• 3 months of exclusive, weekly live trainings 

• 3 months access to Fledge’s online e-learning lessons 

• Templates to create content to help your business thrive 

• Weekly office hours with mentors who will lend their expertise to discuss how to integrate new  concepts and tools into your business strategy. 

• Weekly networking sessions to speak with and learn from other land restoration entrepreneurs  in your cohort.

 Additionally, all participants will have the opportunity to apply for a Land Accelerator Investment Pack,  which will be awarded to the top 10 entrepreneurs. Recipients of the investment packs will receive: 

 • A $5,000 Innovation Grant 

• A 90-minute group mentorship session with members of the Land Accelerator mentor network  who will provide tailored feedback and suggestions to further develop your business

• An investment coaching meeting with a Land Accelerator organizer to develop your investment  and innovation grant plan 

• The opportunity to present your 3-minute business pitch at the virtual Land Accelerator Demo  Day, an event that brings together the 10 grant recipients and business and social investors from  across the continent

Find more details HERE and useful tips for your application HERE

The Land Accelerator’s second African cohort met from September 7-12, 2019, in Nairobi, Kenya. The 14 startups were chosen from 335 applicants and represent 8 African countries. Each received a EUR 3,000 grant in addition to a travel stipend. Over 100 investors and members of Nairobi’s start-up community joined us at the Demo Day on Sep 12 to meet the entrepreneurs.

Check out the 3-minute video below for more details about the Land Accelerator.

The Land Accelerator 2021