Africa Climate Ventures Venture Studio Grant

About this grant

Africa Climate Ventures (ACV) is a venture studio that builds climate-focused businesses in Africa with the goal of creating 'climate unicorns.' ACV operates at the intersection of climate action and African economic opportunity, identifying and developing businesses that can leverage Africa's abundant land, renewable energy potential, skilled workforce, and carbon market opportunities to generate commercial returns while driving positive environmental outcomes. ACV follows three core models: transferring leading global carbon technologies to Africa by developing appropriate entry strategies and teams; scaling out successful home-grown African climate tech businesses into new markets; and adding carbon revenue streams to existing African businesses that have under-exploited carbon potential, such as electric mobility manufacturers not yet monetizing their carbon credits. The studio is active across several sectors including circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, climate-positive built environment, e-mobility, carbon removals, and green industry. ACV takes a hands-on approach, sometimes developing concepts internally before attracting founders, and sometimes partnering with founders who bring strong ideas. In all cases, the team iterates on concepts, injects capital as milestones are met, and leverages its networks and expertise to support portfolio companies. Portfolio investments include Great Carbon Valley (GCV), a Kenyan venture focused on large-scale green industry and technical carbon removal in the East African Rift Valley, and Safi Organics, a Kenyan biochar-based organic fertilizer company. ACV has received institutional backing from FSD Africa, which invested £1 million, and has formed notable partnerships including an MOU with RMB Ventures and a partnership with Tencent's Carbon X Program.

Eligibility

ACV targets climate-focused businesses and entrepreneurs operating on the African continent. Eligible ventures fall into three categories: global businesses with proven carbon technologies seeking to enter African markets; home-grown African climate tech businesses that have demonstrated market traction and are ready to scale into new geographies; and existing African businesses with under-exploited carbon monetization potential. Sectors of interest include circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, climate-positive built environment, e-mobility, and carbon removals and green industry. The studio may develop concepts internally and recruit founders, or partner with founders who bring their own ideas.

How it's scored

ACV does not publicly disclose a formal scoring rubric or panel evaluation process. Based on the programme description, opportunities are assessed on the strength of the climate thesis and carbon revenue potential, the quality and experience of the founding team, the commercial viability and scalability of the business model across African markets, alignment with ACV's three core investment models, and the potential for co-benefits such as job creation and community impact. The studio takes an iterative approach, continuously evaluating milestone achievement as capital is deployed.

Key requirements

• ✓Climate-positive business model with focus on circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, green buildings, e-mobility, or carbon removals
• ✓Operations or expansion plans in Africa
• ✓Early-stage or venture-building stage; willingness to work with venture studio model
• ✓Potential for technology transfer, market scaling, or carbon revenue integration

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Great Carbon Valley (GCV)
• Safi Organics

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Africa Climate Ventures Venture Studio?

Eligibility covers organisations in AFRICA; startup, sme, social-enterprise. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Circular economy funding supports reuse, repair, remanufacturing, product redesign and secondary materials markets. Grants tend to back pilots with businesses and local authorities, while tenders buy collection, sorting and recovery services. Applicants are usually asked to show the material flows involved and who will buy the recovered output.