Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for the Kinjani (Ad)Venture Builder Program
Application FAQs
What areas of climate-tech are you interested in supporting?
We support nature-based and industrial decarbonisation solutions, building towards a circular economy and climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. Industries we particularly care about are: Agriculture, Mining, Water, Construction, Manufacturing and Oceans.
What experience do I need to apply?
You have one of the following:
Technical Expertise: an individual who has technical training & experience (science or engineering) in one of our key industry areas in sub-Saharan Africa.
Commercial Experience: You have experience in building, growing or investing in startups, have run teams, managed businesses or raised funding before.
Operational Experience: an individual who has on-the-job training and experience at an operator company in one of our key industry areas in sub-Saharan Africa.
I don't have a co-founder - can I apply?
Absolutely! Kinjani is all about backing talent in Africa, and we aim to run programs that bring together like-minded individuals and potential co-founders with complementary skill sets.
I don't have a great idea for a climate-tech business right now - should I apply?
Yes! In fact it is helpful to blend a group of open-minded and talented individuals into the programme. We assess individuals based on their areas of expertise and ambition to make a positive impact through starting a business. Kinjani aims to help individuals with diverse backgrounds and ideas to seed the next generation of climate-tech businesses in Africa.
What is the application progress?
You will submit your application (should take 15-30mins to complete). Thereafter schedule a 20min call interview. The final step is a 30min group interview. If successful, you will then receive an offer letter to join our programme!
When will I know if my application has been successful?
We will be making final offers to successful candidates by mid-July.
Programme FAQs
When does the programme start and finish?
The Kinjani (ad)Venture Builder Programme starts on 31st of March 2025 and ends on the 1st of August 2025.
What happens on the programme?
The programme kicks off with a month residency in South Africa (location to be confirmed) - focusing on helping you find a cofounder/s, mentors and market inspiration. The following three months are focused on incubating your idea (either remote or in-person) where you'll iterate on your idea, speak to potential customers, practice pitching and ultimately pitch to investors.
Do I have to move to South Africa if I join the programme?
No, there will be one month that you are required to be in South Africa. You will be paid a stipend to cover the cost of this during your stay.
What happens to any Intellectual Property (IP) I create while on the programme?
The IP will belong to you! During the course of the programme we'll be helping you strategically think about building your business and your IP. We’ll discuss the foundations and best practices of IP, and the laws that govern it here and abroad. If you require setting up foreign mirror entities to migrate IP offshore, Kinjani and our legal partners can help you with this.
Will Kinjani invest in me or my company?
Yes and maybe. Over the course of the programme you will receive a stipend up to a total of $10,000 USD - this is for costs relating to living, testing ideas and reasonable work related travel. At the end of the programme you'll pitch to the Kinjani Investment Committee which will select 7 companies to receive follow-on funding of up to $125,000.