The program focuses on ventures that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities, through innovations addressing farm productivity, market access, financial inclusion, post-harvest losses, climate resilience, and regenerative agriculture.
Four selected startups will receive up to Rwf 15,000,000 in milestone-based grant funding, along with up to 100 hours of technical assistance, coaching, cohort-wide masterclasses, and facilitated introductions to investors, cooperatives, development finance institutions, and commercial off-takers.
Applications are open to agritech startups and SMEs operating in Rwanda with at least two years of active operations, proven market traction, and technology-enabled solutions addressing challenges within the agricultural sector. Ventures must also demonstrate clear potential for scalability and measurable impact for smallholder farmers.
Commenting on the development, Fina Kayisanabo, Project Manager for AgroInnovation at Swisscontact highlighted that the second edition of Kura Na AgTech builds on the learnings from the first edition.
“Many promising agritech startups struggle to access the technical support, financing, and strategic networks needed to scale. Through this program, we are directly supporting entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow their solutions to reach more smallholder farmers, while also contributing to a stronger ecosystem by fostering strategic connections, collaboration, and linkages between ventures and key stakeholders,” she said.
Drawing from the experience of working closely with ventures in the first cohort, Mafer Betancourt, Director of Programs and Impact at Impact Hub Kigali, added: “Rwandan entrepreneurs are building strong agritech innovations with the potential to improve productivity, market access, financial inclusion and resilience for smallholder farmers.
“What is often missing is tailored support that helps these ventures refine their business models, strengthen operations,and scale sustainably, while delivering measurable impact. Kura Na AgTech offers customized acceleration support that respond to the specific needs of each venture, combining technical assistance, funding, and strategic connections.”
The selection process will include an open call for applications, pitch interviews for up to 10 shortlisted startups, and due diligence visits for the pre-selected ventures. Four startups will be selected to participate in the four-month acceleration phase running from June to October 2026.
Interested startups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible ahead of the application deadline on May 31, 2026.
Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the program can also join the virtual information session scheduled for 19 May 2026, with details to be shared on Impact Hub Kigali social media platforms.
Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation that promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to foster sustainable prosperity and improve the living standards of people in developing and emerging economies.
Meanwhile, Impact Hub Kigali is an innovation hub that supports impact-driven entrepreneurs and innovators to start, grow, and scale sustainable ventures that drive economic growth while maximizing their positive impact. Through tailored incubation and acceleration programs, and ecosystem building initiatives, it provides technical support and resources, and facilitates connections to partners, investors, and the public sector.
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