Shaking off the rust
I suspect most of the readers here think of me as the (crazy) American obsessed with investing in food/ag in Africa, with perhaps some of you wondering why the guy who runs that (odd) impact investing nonprofit keeps writing about for-profit investing.
Actually, it took me 8 years to fully transition from startup entrepreneur to investor, and in those years my primary job was running and expanding Fledge, the so-called conscious company accelerator.
The last time I ran a Fledge accelerator was 2020, but for 2026 I’m shaking off the rust, hopping back in the saddle, and spinning up a new program in a new city: Fledge Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
The theme is food/ag. We’re looking for seven companies to potentially add as Africa Eats’ bizi. Each invitee will receive an investment. At least $10,000 but up to whatever check Africa Eats thinks is best to make the company fast-growing and profitable.
If you know of any companies that fit, please point them to fledge.co/africa-2026 and suggest they hit the Apply button.
Food/ag, anywhere in Africa, interested in an accelerator, raising capital, and (sorry, but) fluent in English, as the team only speaks English and a little Swahili. Asante sana!
Brilliant news about Fledge Africa, Luni! I can't wait to see great businesses emerge that look beyond AI and tech to form the true building blocks of a more resilient regional food system.
We're an impact-driven venture studio building regenerative food and agriculture companies with Southern African founders, with an investment philosophy in part inspired by Africa Eats. We co-build from very early stage: businesses not 'ready' yet for accelerators.
It looks like there's only room for 7 companies in Fledge, so we'd welcome any founders or businesses in Southern Africa to also get in touch with us https://inanna.global/
Best of luck to all the Fledge Africa applicants!