Before you apply

Make sure that you have carefully read the below sections on target audience, implementation mode, selection criteria as well as cost & commitment

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for innovative sanitation enterprises that have developed a business model which potentially could reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of beneficiaries beyond centralised sewer networks. Here is what you need:

  • Sustainable and innovative solutions for prevailing onsite sanitation challenges or resource recovery for agriculture or as fuel.
  • Customer segment in rural, peri-urban and/or urban areas.
  • Registration as a legal entity
  • Recurring sales from an initial customer base
  • High potential to scale operations, impact and profits
  • Potential to become investment-ready by the end of the program
  • Appetite for risk & growth
  • Openness for business coaching and expert feedback

Do I fit in?

We are looking for enterprises that provide innovative solutions along the onsite sanitation and resource recovery value chains (from user interfaces to onsite containment, emptying and transport of faecal sludge to treatment and safe reuse/disposal of treated products) in Kenya or Uganda. Check the examples below to assess if you might fit our participant profile:

Product manufacturer
Enterprises that design, develop, and manufacture onsite sanitation products and technologies such as toilet pans, septic tanks, pit emptying equipment, vacuum trucks, briquette presses and stoves, etc.
Sanitation service provider
Enterprises offering services to individuals, households, communities, or institutions in the areas of installation, maintenance and/or emptying of sanitation facilities, transport of faecal sludge, rental of portable toilets, operation of public toilets, etc.
Treatment and/or reuse
Enterprises that treat faecal sludge for save reuse/disposal (e.g.: dewatering and carbonisation of faecal sludge for production of fuel briquettes, etc.).
Supply chain and distribution
Enterprises that procure, supply, and distribute sanitation products and equipment (e.g.: spare parts, consumables, and maintenance supplies).
Consulting and engineering
Enterprises that provide expertise in planning, designing, and implementing onsite sanitation projects.
Technology and innovation
Enterprises that develop and deploy innovative technologies, sanitation apps, smart sensors for monitoring sanitation systems, etc.

Selection Criteria

Solution for sanitation
We will support businesses that offer innovative, sustainable solutions for onsite sanitation and/or resource recovery from faecal sludge management facilities in rural, peri-urban and/or urban areas in Kenya and Uganda with a potential to scale.
Registration
You need to be legally registered as an organization.
Maturity
We will support businesses with a proven track record, initial customer base, recurring sales and solid communication materials
Team
We will prioritize team players and organizations that are structured and managed in a smart way
Social and environmental Impact
We will prioritise businesses that directly or indirectly improve the access to onsite sanitation in rural, peri-urban and/or urban areas, especially for vulnerable groups including low-income customer segments, youth and/or women
Growth & risk appetite
We are looking for businesses with a hunger to scale, a long-term strategic vision and innovative ideas on how to attain such a vision.

Implementation Mode

Offline

Meet and work with us face-to-face during the program’s bootcamps.

Online

Work online with us on specific tasks of the acceleration program and join us on Zoom for key input sessions

Blended

Receive individual coaching, focused training, and networking as well as peer-learning opportunities both off-/ and online

In the field

Develop and implement business transformation projects with our technical and financial support

Cost & Commitment

How much time do I have to commit to the participation in the program?
Participation in the East Africa Sanitation Accelerator is a time-intensive endeavour and will require an average dedication of 4 hours per week. However, during peak moments throughout the program, such as the transformation project and technical assistance, the time commitment may be much higher. Additionally, participants must be fully present for all program components, including the face-to-face bootcamps, which will last for 5 consecutive full days. Availability to travel for these trainings is a prerequisite! The program starts in September 2023 and ends in September 2024, with the most intense phase taking place from September 2023 to May 2024.
What does the participation cost?
Participation in the program itself is free of charge. This means that all direct costs related to participating in the acceleration program, including trainings, networking events, coaching sessions, etc., are covered by us. However, indirect costs related to travel, accommodation, meals, etc., will need to be partially covered by the participating businesses. A fee of USD 150 will be collected per person for the face-to-face bootcamps. Participants also have the opportunity to access a catalytic grant of up to USD 10,000. This fund is to be used exclusively for the transformation project developed during the program.
Who from my team should participate?
Working with us requires intense collaboration, and we require either the CEO or an appropriate representative (e.g. co-founder, business development director, etc.) to participate as the single point of contact throughout the entire duration of the program, particularly for key events such as bootcamps, and pitching events.

Apply now

Application form