Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9 2027 – Fully Funded Food Systems Entrepreneurship Programme

Overview

The Jasiri Talent Investor Programme is a 13-month entrepreneurship initiative designed for exceptional individuals before a venture exists. For Cohort 9, the programme focuses specifically on Food Systems, inviting participants to build solutions addressing challenges across Africa's food value chains. The programme spans 13 months and includes an online phase, a residential phase in Rwanda, and up to nine months of venture creation.

Who can apply

Applicants must be citizens of Kenya, Rwanda, or Ethiopia, including those living in the diaspora. Candidates must be prepared to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, commit to building a food systems venture, and be willing to co-found a venture from scratch. Participants must also be able to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda for a three-month residential intensive, be open to testing and validating ideas based on evidence, and demonstrate substantial professional depth in areas such as software, hardware, science, data, finance, operations, or sales. Previous background in agriculture or food systems is not required. Jasiri evaluates individuals based on their capability, track record, problem-solving skills, and evidence of past achievement rather than credentials alone.

What you get

The programme provides extensive financial and non-financial support. During the one-month online Jumpstart phase, participants receive USD 30 in communication support. The three-month residential intensive is fully covered, including travel to and from Rwanda, accommodation, meals, local transport, health insurance, and USD 250 per month in living support. Teams reaching the market-validation stage can access up to USD 3,000 per team for prototyping and testing. During venture creation, Jasiri provides a grant-based venture creation grant of USD 28,200 per venture, disbursed against milestones. Participants also gain support from venture builders, coaches, and specialist experts, plus access to partner benefits and shared workspaces in Kigali, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa.

Key dates

The online Jasiri Jumpstart phase begins on January 18, 2027. The residential intensive in Rwanda runs from February 17 to May 23, 2027. Venture creation lasts up to nine months following the intensive. A current opportunity listing provides an application deadline of October 12, 2026, though Jasiri reviews applications on a rolling basis.