AYA Accelerator 2026 For Young Agrifood Entrepreneurs (Fully Funded)

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Applications are open for AYA Accelerator 2026. The AYA Accelerator is a 24-month enterprise growth program supporting young entrepreneurs building ventures in agrifood, nutrition, and sustainability.The accelerator is aimed at entrepreneurs with high-potential ventures that have the potential to contribute to stronger food systems, improved nutrition and sustainable development. Through long-term enterprise support, the programme seeks to help participating businesses strengthen their operations and create pathways for sustainable growth.

Unlike a short-term entrepreneurship training programme, the accelerator is structured around enterprise growth and aims to support participating ventures as they work toward becoming sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable businesses.

The programme is therefore particularly relevant to young founders who already have a venture and are looking for opportunities to strengthen its growth potential.

AYA Accelerator Benefits

The AYA Accelerator is designed around enterprise growth over a 24-month period, providing a longer-term opportunity for participating businesses to develop.

The programme’s stated objectives include helping youth-led ventures build:

Sustainable businesses: Participants can work toward developing ventures capable of operating and growing over the long term.
Revenue-generating enterprises: The accelerator focuses on helping ventures strengthen their potential to generate sustainable business revenue.
Scalable businesses: High-potential ventures can use the programme as an opportunity to develop the foundations needed for expansion and increased impact.
The extended 24-month timeframe distinguishes the programme from many shorter accelerator and entrepreneurship initiatives, giving participating ventures a longer period in which to pursue enterprise growth.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is designed for young entrepreneurs building high-potential ventures in three key areas: Agrifood, Nutrition and Sustainability
Young entrepreneurs with high-potential ventures
Women, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons are encouraged to apply