Savant opens applications for Build Cohort 4, an investment readiness accelerator offering up to €80,000 (R1.6 million) for Africa’s hardware and deep-tech founders

Savant has opened applications for Cohort 4 of the Savant...

Savant has opened applications for Cohort 4 of the Savant Build Programme, a funded accelerator supporting African deep-tech and hardware founders building scalable solutions for climate and green economy sectors. Applications close on 15 June 2026, with the three-month programme beginning in August 2026.

Designed specifically for technical founders, the Build Programme combines venture-building support, engineering and commercial expertise, investor readiness, mentorship and strategic networks to help startups become investment-ready and positioned for scale.

The 2026 cohort will focus primarily on startups developing solutions in climate-tech and the green economy, including decarbonisation, resource efficiency, sustainable energy, conservation, circular economy, water and waste management. A limited number of standout deep-tech and hardware ventures outside these sectors will also be considered.

Top-performing graduates may qualify for grant funding of €80,000, approximately R1.6 million, following successful completion of the programme. Exceptional companies may also be considered for further equity investment through the Savant Venture Fund. Participating startups gain access to Savant’s investor network, strategic partners, expert advisors and up to one year of post-programme support.

The programme was created to address a gap it has repeatedly observed over its 20-year history of working with science, engineering and deep-tech ventures across Africa: highly capable technical founders often struggle to access the commercial support, strategic guidance and investment readiness required to scale breakthrough technologies.

Unlike traditional accelerators, Build is designed specifically around the realities of hardware and deep-tech ventures, where founders face longer development cycles, prototyping and manufacturing complexity, supply chain challenges, intellectual property considerations, higher capital requirements and more technical due diligence processes.

“We invest in founders beyond capital,?...