Michèle Schiess
South Africa
A vortex entrainer retrofitted into effluent pipes; potential to cut harmful pollutants by 80%+ and sequester 20 MtCO₂e at scale.
The Kinjani Greenhouse
Grow your idea into a climate-tech business.
The Kinjani Greenhouse is Africa's launchpad for the next generation of climate and nature-inspired innovators.
Join this online course to find your startup idea, sharpen it, and turn it into a real venture.
· 100% online · Free to join · Next pitch day is the 11th of August ·
The Climate Crisis
One of the greatest challenges of our time.
One of the greatest opportunities.
The climate crisis is set to reshape Africa and every industry - including agriculture, water, materials, waste. Where most people see a crisis, founders see the chance to build.
The next generation of African companies won't just adapt to climate change. They'll turn the response to it into economic and environmental regeneration. The Greenhouse exists to help you see that opportunity clearly and act on it.
Why now? Why this course?
Africa has the talent. What's been missing is the early-stage venture support.
As a continent, we have the resources, the opportunity, and the world-class talent. What we've lacked is the financial and venture support that helps a founder take the first step ... from an idea to a thriving startup.
Kinjani was built to close that gap: to bring together scientists, operators, and entrepreneurs solving real problems in the industries that matter most.
Turn bold ideas into companies that can regenerate our African economies and our environment.
The Greenhouse is where we make that real (with people like you).
What you'll gain
Learn how to start a climate-tech company
The Greenhouse is a free online course on how to start a climate-tech startup.
Over six stages, you'll learn by doing.
Every stage ends in a concrete milestone. Something you build for your own venture, not a hypothetical exercise.
01
Spot the opportunity
Learn to see climate challenges as business opportunities grounded in Africa's unique advantages.
02
Validate the problem
Test whether the problem is real by talking to the people who live it.
03
Find your customer
Discover who you're building for, and go deeper than assumptions.
04
Shape the solution
Develop a solution and test your riskiest assumptions.
05
Build a prototype
Turn the idea into something tangible, with help from AI tools to move faster.
06
Make your case
Leave with a clear pitch that opens doors with partners, funders, and supporters — plus very clear next steps.
Who it's for
The Greenhouse is built for diversity.
You don't need startup experience.
You need curiosity and a problem worth solving.
Climate startups need diversity. Wherever you're starting from, you can bloom here.
If you're from a climate-vulnerable community or a region surrounding heavy industry, we especially encourage you to apply.
Scientists
Turning lab discoveries into real-world solutions.
Operators
Who understand supply chains and how industries really work.
Climate-vulnerable innovators
Built for those living the daily reality of floods, drought, or mine waste, specifically who see opportunity where others see crisis.
Entrepreneurs at any stage
Who want to start or grow a climate or nature-based idea.
Technical consultants & specialists
Ready to turn systems insight into scalable environmental innovation.
What you'll need
High ambition. Climate-tech focused. Keen on real-world impact.
All you need to start is a computer and internet access, a commitment to learning, and one big idea you're determined to explore.
Amplify your ambitions by working alongside others who hold a high bar.
The Kinjani Greenhouse
- Format
- 100% online, self-paced
- Starts
- Now
- Next pitch day
- 11th August (RSVP)
- Duration
- Six stages over 6–12 weeks (on average)
- The prize
- A pitch event in August, with $2,500 in business and leadership coaching across five winners.
2025 Greenhouse winners
Real solutions start in the Greenhouse
Chantal Omondi
Kenya
Turns Nairobi's waste cooking oil into B20 biodiesel, with the potential to cut fleet fuel costs by 30% and keeping millions of litres of waste oil out of waterways.
Sara Usman
Rwanda
Carbon Smart Spaces, a material-intelligence tool cutting embodied carbon by 40–50 tons per 150 m² built.
Alimamy Bangura
Rwanda
A moringa-based nano-fertiliser and low-cost storage system improving yields up to 40% and cutting post-harvest loss 25%.
Our founder says it best
Why we built the Greenhouse
"The industries with the greatest potential to drive climate impact and economic growth are right here in Africa.
We have the resources, the opportunity, and the talent. What we've lacked is the venture ecosystem.
This is what Kinjani is built on. African soil, African opportunities, and African talent.
The Greenhouse is where we make it real"
Caitlin Wale
Founder & Managing Partner, Kinjani
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the Greenhouse
Who is this course for?+
The Greenhouse is open to anyone, just not everyone. This programme is open to any individuals, founders, scientists, operators or specialists: who choose to innovate, who want to grow their understanding of climate-tech, who want to solve real problems, and who want to play a role in creating a life-friendly future.
Is there a certificate?+
Yes, on completion you'll reach a certificate of completion.
How long is the course?+
The course is approximately 20 hours, broken up into short sections.