Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9: food-systems venture programme with USD 28,000 grants 2026

What is the Talent Investor?

Jasiri backs individuals before their venture exists. Cohort 9 focuses on food systems in Eastern Africa: fellows form teams, identify problems and opportunities, validate ideas and launch new ventures in Rwanda, Kenya or Ethiopia. The journey begins with an online month from 18 January 2027, continues with a three-month residential intensive in Rwanda and ends with up to nine months of venture creation.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be citizens of Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia, at home or in the diaspora, with years of hands-on work in a field such as software, hardware, science, data, finance, operations or sales and proof that they have built something before. You need to be ready to pursue entrepreneurship full time, relocate to Kigali for the residential intensive and co-found from scratch with peers. No food-systems background is required.

What do fellows receive?

The residential intensive is fully covered, including travel, accommodation, meals, transport and health insurance, plus a monthly living allowance. Teams that reach validation can access prototyping funds, and each new venture receives a USD 28,000 creation grant paid in three milestone-gated tranches, with no equity taken.

How to apply

Applications go through six stages, from the online form and an entrepreneurial intentions assessment to psychometrics, a video, a selection conference and interviews. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying early brings faster feedback.