The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a call for applications for GreenTech startups to join the timbuktoo Launchpad, a venture building program under Kenya's timbuktoo GreenTech Hub. The Launchpad is designed to identify, support, and prepare promising startups developing innovative solutions for Africa's green transition and climate resilience.

Anchored within timbuktoo, UNDP's flagship pan African innovation initiative, the timbuktoo Launchpad supports technology driven startups with the potential to tackle environmental challenges, expand clean energy access, advance circular economy models, and build climate resilient solutions across the continent.

About the Programme

Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges to sustainable development across Africa. From energy access gaps to waste management and water scarcity, communities across the continent face urgent environmental realities. Technological innovation is playing an increasingly vital role in addressing these climate challenges and unlocking sustainable economic opportunities. Through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub hosted in Kenya, UNDP is supporting the next generation of African entrepreneurs building solutions that can transform environmental sustainability and climate action at scale.

Selected GreenTech startups will join the timbuktoo Launchpad, gaining access to a distributed ecosystem of incubators, innovation hubs, mentors, and investors working together to support startups across Africa.

Startups admitted to the program will receive structured incubation support delivered by accredited incubators participating in the timbuktoo Launchpad, alongside access to a broader continental network of founders, ecosystem partners, and investors. Participants will also gain access to the timbuktoo Pan African Incubation digital platform, powered by Seedstars' SIGMA platform, which provides founders with structured tools, mentorship matching, learning resources, and AI powered guidance to accelerate startup growth and prepare for investment readiness.

Programme Benefits

GreenTech startups selected for the program will benefit from a combination of local incubation support and pan African ecosystem access, including:

• Structured incubation programs delivered by leading African incubators
• Access to experienced mentors, climate tech entrepreneurs, and sector experts
• Participation in a pan African network of founders, incubators, and climate ecosystem partners
• Access to the SIGMA digital platform for startup development and progress tracking
• Investment readiness support, including pitch development and climate finance preparation
• Participation in demo days and ecosystem events across Africa
• Access to potential pathways to acceleration programs and early stage investment opportunities

Programme Eligibility Criteria

Eligible startups must:

• Be based in Africa or building solutions targeting African green and climate markets
• Have a prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Have a committed founding team
• Address a clearly defined challenge within climate action, clean energy, or environmental sustainability
• Demonstrate potential for growth and scalability

Solutions may address areas such as clean energy and renewables, climate adaptation and resilience, sustainable agriculture, waste management and circular economy, water and resource efficiency, green mobility, carbon markets, or sustainable manufacturing.

UNDP particularly encourages applications from startups led by women, youth entrepreneurs, and founders working in underserved or rural communities.

How to Apply

Applications are open on a rolling basis, with startups admitted through quarterly cohorts.

Interested startups can submit their applications via the dedicated platform:

Link: https://airtable.com/appYbpSCCV1VosC1M/pagMQfKHj9mIYPFyN/form

About timbuktoo

timbuktoo is UNDP's flagship pan African innovation initiative designed to position Africa as a global leader in innovation.

Building on a continental network of Tech Hubs, University Innovation Pods, and ecosystem partners, timbuktoo aims to mobilize 1 billion US dollars over 10 years, support 10,000 startups, scale 1,000 high growth enterprises, contribute to improved livelihoods for 100 million people, and generate 10 billion US dollars in value across the continent.

The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, hosted in Kenya, serves as a pan African center for advancing innovation in climate action and environmental sustainability. The Hub brings together startups, ecosystem actors, investors, and policymakers to strengthen GreenTech solutions, enable market adoption, catalyze climate investment, and accelerate Africa's green transformation.