ygap believes that business is a powerful lever for change in the world. That’s why our Accelerator Program is designed to support locally-led, early-stage ventures focused on creating positive impact in their communities. 

The ygap Accelerator Program helps these impact ventures to refine and validate their business model, move towards financial sustainability, and build on their ability to create change in their communities. Participants of this program will expand their network by joining a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs, and will receive technical support and advice from our team of local experts that is tailored to the specific needs of their venture. We are committed to supporting the growth of locally-led impact ventures who have shown the drive, talent and conviction to create change in their own communities.

Ventures chosen for the ygap Accelerator Program will graduate with: 

• A proven and validated Theory of Change
• Proof of product-market fit with a clear value-proposition for key customer segments
• A validated business model that verifies the desirability, the feasibility and the viability of the business
• Detailed financial statements including income statements and cash flow statements
• Proven growth traction demonstrated through data across key metrics 
• A reasonable and viable 12-month growth plan with a clear plan of action, quarterly milestones and projections

We expect that ventures who complete the ygap Accelerator Program to increase their revenue, create employment opportunities and secure further investment, thereby making a real difference in the communities they operate within.

The ygap Accelerator Program works firmly at the validate stage of the entrepreneurship value chain and supports ventures with the following eligibility: 

• Must have already launched and be currently operational. In most cases, participating ventures must be formally registered and proof of this status will be required (unless this is not applicable to where your business runs).
• Must be post-revenue and able to provide evidence of commercial transactions. 
• Must have an element to their business that is unique. It could be a unique product or service offering, a unique production method, or a unique business model. 
• Must have a social or environmental focus. Through the operation of the business, ventures must be working toward  making their community, their city, or their country a better place. To validate the positive impact that the venture is making, we align to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Must be “local” to the issue they’re solving, and intimately connected to their community. Growing an early-stage impact venture is hard, so we want to ensure that the team behind the venture is passionate and committed to solving the problem, and is in it for the long-haul.
• Must clearly recognise and desire the benefits and value of participating in the ygap program. ygap invests deeply in the ventures we support, and expect the same level of dedication and investment in participating in the ygap program.

ygap’s success as an organisation is embedded within a unique combination of skills, expertise and experience. 

Our program works:

Since 2008, ygap has successfully delivered over 50 entrepreneurship programs across Africa, South Asia and the Pacific Islands which have supported more than 550 early-stage impact ventures. Over this time, ygap has continued to iterate and improve its approach to supporting early-stage impact ventures, and today has a proven and internationally-renowned program methodology.

Provision of Practical, Hands-On Knowledge

The ygap program does not teach out of a textbook, nor does it provide theoretical concepts. We offer real-world and relevant support that early-stage ventures can easily apply to improve their own businesses to improve strategic direction and operational management. 

A Willingness for 1:1 Support & to “Be in the Trenches” with Ventures

No business is the same, no business model is the same, no entrepreneur is the same, and so the support we provide to the ventures in our programs can not be the same. Our expertise comes from rolling up our sleeves and getting into the trenches with the ventures we support. After running over 50 programs, we know the deep 1:1 technical assistance and business development support is the most impactful.

Local Expertise & Knowledge

We have local offices with local team members who are social entrepreneurship and development experts with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystems in which we operate. As a result, our local teams are capable, committed, connected, and able to provide appropriate support within the local context.

Backed by an International Community 

The knowledge of our local teams is complemented with our global network of entrepreneurship experts, hailing from across Africa, South Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia. This network of experienced practitioners means that our Accelerator Program not only benefits from deep local context, but the breadth of global collaboration.  

Commitment towards Accessibility & Inclusivity 

With an international reputation as a leader in gender, diversity and inclusion (GDI), all components of the program are carefully considered through a GDI lens to ensure that our programs are inclusive, accessible and equitable to all, regardless of gender, race, or religion.

The ygap Accelerator Program works because it is tailored to what it means to run a business in Kenya. That means, our Kenya based team has the local context, knowledge and presence to support ventures in their entrepreneurial journey. In addition, our global team runs this Accelerator Program in different places around the world, meaning we have the benefit of expertise and insights with peers globally.

We can only accommodate one founder per venture for the live-in capacity building bootcamp, however, the support phase is open for all founders to participate in.

No, it is not as a requirement of the program.