Neycha Accelerator & Fund

Eligibility criteria for participation in the program is organized into three criteria categores:

Agroecological Enterprises

Agroecological Enterprises, with a clear agroecological passion, impact and vision. They could be operating anywhere along the  agriculture value chain(see below) and are  supporting farmers to transition to agroecology or are promoting and operating in line with the 13 principles of Agroecology, including:

• The business model is designed around an agri-food value chain.
• Has a clear connection to small-holder farmers (directly or via third parties) e.g. providing them with organic inputs, support services and output markets for their produce.
• Promoting the use of organic practices in their value chain e.g. the use of organic inputs.
• Entrepreneurial farmers operating beyond a single farm model.
• Environmentally conscious, integrating practices such as recycling, waste control and reduction.
• Producing healthy and nutritious products.
• Promoting the consumption of healthy and nutritious products.
• Supplying inputs and technologies that promote sustainable and safe food production e.g. post-harvest handling solutions for storage of food items, irrigation technology that promotes efficient use of water.

Business Criteria

• Registered for-profit private enterprise operating in Uganda and/or Kenya.
• Business is at least 3 years old and is past pilot stage with an existing customer base and sales generating at least USD 40,000 (or equivalent in Uganda shillings or Kenyan shillings)  in annual revenue.
• The business has a clear market opportunity and strong value proposition matching this opportunity – it’s okay if this is not fully and clearly outlined. What we care about is a viable business model.
• The business is profitable or has a clear path to profitability.
• The business has at least 3 years of audited books or 24 months of management accounts.
• The business has a clear 2-3 year growth plan. This does not need to be fully and clearly outlined, for example, through a business plan.
• The business is interested in building its capacity and attracting capital to achieve its growth plan.

The Team

• The founders are passionate about agroecology or the principles of agroecology. You do not need to have been aware of agroecology before as long as you are passionate about the idea and the principles behind agroecology.
• Locally led team – at least one of the founders is a Ugandan or Kenyan.
• The business has at least 2 other employees, with at least one founder working full time on the business.
• The founders are entrepreneurial – risk takers, problem solvers, ambitious, and interested in building a successful business.
• The founder(s) are ready to commit to a partnership with Neycha to grow the impact and success of their agroecological enterprise.
• The founder(s) have prior business and startup experience, ideally closely related to the current business – however, this is nice to have, but not having this will not prevent your selection.