Jasiri Talent Investor Programme (Cohort 9) for East African Entrepreneurs

The Jasiri Talent Investor Programme (Cohort 9) is a 13-month fellowship for entrepreneurial talent from Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This cohort focuses on food systems and supports individuals before they form a team or venture.

The programme starts with an online Jumpstart, followed by a mandatory three-month residential intensive in Kigali, Rwanda. After that, selected fellows receive up to nine months of venture creation support in Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia.

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Eligible Countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia

Program Duration: 13 months total: 1 month online Jumpstart, 3 months Residential Intensive (17 Feb – 23 May 2027), up to 9 months Venture Creation Program Location: Online Jumpstart; 3-month Residential Intensive in Kigali, Rwanda (mandatory); Venture Creation up to 9 months in Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia. Funding/Benefits: USD 28,000 per venture (disbursed in three milestone-gated tranches); Up to USD 3,000 market validation funds per team; USD 250/month living support for 3 months; USD 30 communication support for online phase.

Award Provider: Jasiri (Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies)

About this Program

Jasiri backs high-potential East African talent to build new ventures from scratch. Specifically, Cohort 9 is designed for founders who want to build in food systems. The fellowship is founder-focused and targets people who are ready to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

Moreover, the programme combines training, residential immersion, team formation, market validation, and venture creation support. Fellows move from intention and exploration to testing and building a new venture with structured guidance.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia, including diaspora applicants.

Be ready to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

Be able to relocate to Kigali for the three-month Residential Intensive.

Be committed to building a new venture in food systems.

Not have binding commitments to an existing venture, as the programme backs individuals pre-venture.

What Fellows Receive: Venture creation grant: USD 28,000 per venture (disbursed in milestone-gated tranches); Market validation funds: up to USD 3,000 per team; Living support: USD 250/month for 3 months; Communication support: USD 30 for online phase; travel, accommodation, meals, transport and health insurance fully covered during Residential Intensive.

Program Components Online Jumpstart; a mandatory three-month Residential Intensive in Kigali; and up to nine months of Venture Creation support in Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia. In addition, fellows receive access to coaches, venture builders, vetted experts, partner credits, and shared workspaces in Kigali, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application form and go through the selection process. The process includes an Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment, a psychometric assessment, a short video answering “Why Jasiri, and why now”, participation in a live Selection Conference, and interviews.

Before applying, make sure you can commit fully to the programme timeline and relocation requirement. Also, review the official page carefully for the latest selection details.

👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details

Be a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia, including diaspora applicants.

Criteria

Be a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia, including diaspora applicants. Be ready to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. Be able to relocate to Kigali for the three-month Residential Intensive. Be committed to building a new venture in food systems. Not have binding commitments to an existing venture, as the programme backs individuals pre-venture. What Fellows Receive: Venture creation grant: USD 28,000 per venture (disbursed in milestone-gated tranches); Market validation funds: up to USD 3,000 per team; Living support: USD 250/month for 3 months; Communication support: USD 30 for online phase; travel, accommodation, meals, transport and health insurance fully covered during Residential Intensive. Program Components Online Jumpstart; a mandatory three-month Residential Intensive in Kigali; and up to nine months of Venture Creation support in Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia. In addition, fellows receive access to coaches, venture builders, vetted experts, partner credits, and shared workspaces in Kigali, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa.

Applicants must complete the online application form and go through the selection process. The process includes an Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment, a psychometric assessment, a short video answering “Why Jasiri, and why now”, participation in a live Selection Conference, and interviews. Before applying, make sure you can commit fully to the programme timeline and relocation requirement. Also, review the official page carefully for the latest selection details.

👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details