Viridian

📢 Calling all South African hubs and ESOs in our Launch League network! The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) has a call for applications from South African entrepreneur support organisations to implement its Youth Technology and Innovation Programme (YTIP) in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and North West Provinces. ➡️ Expressions of interest are due next week, so take a look ASAP. https://lnkd.in/dvxc3era 🌱 We’re excited to be launching a new Launch League support programme for hubs with the UK South Africa Tech Hub soon – watch this space!

🌿In November last year, our work with African green and climate entrepreneurs earned Viridian a spot as an official nominator for the Earthshot Prize. 🏆 This prestigious award seeks out groundbreaking solutions to global environmental problems, awarding £1 million to each of the five winners annually to help them expand their impact. 🌍 Following last year's final in Cape Town, The Earthshot Prize is focusing even more on African innovation. They've recently launched a dedicated portal to highlight unique, planet-healing solutions from the continent. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dDX-tXkz We’re already diving headfirst into our work with green entrepreneurs. More on that soon. Watch this space!🚀

🌿Our friends over at FURTHER are partnering with the Nedbank Foundation to launch THE GREENHOUSE: a mission to identify the next generation of green economy innovators and nurture them and their businesses to reach their full potential. They are looking for entrepreneurs based in South Africa, and operating early-stage businesses in the green economy sectors of agriculture, energy, water or waste, or applying innovative green technologies to reduce energy, water and waste in other business sectors. 💡THE GREENHOUSE will offer entrepreneurs a tailored pathway of catalytic grant funding, holistic capacity-building, and skills development for early-stage, high-potential green economy entrepreneurs. ➡️ If you know any green SA businesses who will benefit – please share! https://lnkd.in/d32UfMBW #FURTHER #Nedbank #THEGREENHOUSE

Mark. Meet. Make History! 🎉 Two Weeks to Go! On February 26-27, 2025, the stage is set for game-changing connections, bold ideas, and lasting impact at hashtag #SankalpAfrica2025! This isn’t just another event—it’s Africa’s largest convening on entrepreneurship and impact investing. It’s where innovation meets opportunity, entrepreneurs connect with investors, and the future of sustainable development takes shape. Be part of the movement. Be part of the change. Join us in Nairobi and help shape a more sustainable, inclusive Africa. 🎟️ Register to attend Now: https://lnkd.in/d9ifYuDc #SankalpAfrica2025 #SankalpAfricaSummit #AfricaClimateTech #Entrepreneurship #ImpactInvesting #AfricaRising

We’re proud to be an official network partner for the 2025 Sankalp Africa Summit!🚀 As we begin the year, we continue to double-down on our support for finance-ready entrepreneurs. One of the ways we are doing this is by partnering with organisations who share this common goal. 🫱🏾🫲🏾 We will be providing support in preparing founders to pitch at the ASCEND session, taking place on the 26th. Claire Jowell, Viridian’s COO, will be representing us in Nairobi at Sankalp this year. Will you be there? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to connect with you! 💫 #SankalpAfrica2025

🏦 Last week, Alexandra Fraser and Claire Jowell attended the British High Commission's Eve of Parliament get together. 🫱🏾🫲🏾 This annual event is a great opportunity to re-connect with local colleagues, partners and also to meet a variety of interesting people associated with the High Commission. 🌍 It's always great to hear how the UK is committed to building positive, collaborative relationships, supports diversity, entrepreneurial development, job creation, and climate resilience with South Africa and Africa. UK in South Africa #EOP2025

🎉 Finally! Happening This Wednesday- Have you secured your spot yet? Don't miss your chance to join the second and final African Angel Academy Info Session for our inaugural open self-sponsored call for applications (cohort 11). This is your opportunity to gain invaluable insights from our esteemed alumni panel, featuring Martin Warioba and Jacklyne Iminza-Anyamba. This session is your absolute gateway to discovering the exciting opportunities awaiting you at the Academy as you learn about the program and have your questions answered live. We look forward to seeing you there!  📅 Date: 12th February 2025  ⏰ Time: 5PM SAST, 6PM EAT, 4PM WAT  📍 Register Here: https://bit.ly/4i5ozYu Secure your future—register now and be part of an inspiring journey! For more details and to submit your application, visit: https://bit.ly/4fyazoG Application Deadline- 19th February 2025 #AfricanAngelAcademy #InfoSession #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Opportunity #CallForApplications Stephen Gugu ViKtoria Ventures David van Dijk Alexandra Fraser Fiona Kiruja

Are you an #investor seeking high-potential early-stage #enterprises at the seed stage (raising $500K – $1M)? #SankalpAfrica2025 is bringing ASCEND: Live Pitching, a unique program that streamlines engagement between #entrepreneurs and investors, reducing the back-and-forth while creating direct access to #scalable #businesses. What to expect: ✅ Early-stage enterprises with a clear growth trajectory ✅ A curated network of investors & #mentors ✅ A streamlined pitching process for maximum impact Investors must register for the #SankalpAfricaSummit first to be eligible to attend ASCEND: Live Pitching. 📆 Date: February 26, 2025 | ⏰ 13:30 PM - 15:00 PM EAT Register for the Sankalp Africa Summit 2025 now: https://lnkd.in/dMJC2aN7 Already registered? Express interest in ASCEND here: https://lnkd.in/dMPwDCAr This session is hosted in partnership with Nairobi Business Angel Network & Viridian. George Murage Paul Breloff Jacklyne Iminza-Anyamba #ImpactInvesting #Startups #Entrepreneurship #SankalpAfrica #InvestingInAfrica

How would it feel to have your impact recognized by the ecosystem that truly matters? The #SankalpAfrica2025, provides a platform where your work is validated by industry leaders, investors, and changemakers. It’s more than recognition—it’s an opportunity to connect, scale, and grow with the support of those shaping Africa’s future. What doors could this recognition open for you? 📅 February 26-27, 2025 📍 Edge Convention Centre, Nairobi 👉 Explore what’s possible: https://lnkd.in/dMJC2aN7 #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #ImpactInvesting #Recognition

💡 In 2024, we noticed a blocker that kept coming up during deals between founders and investors. There was a clear knowledge gap – founders and investors/ financiers were speaking different languages, and it was slowing down (if not, halting) the deal process. So, as the Viridian team is known for doing, we ran toward the problem and jumped on the opportunity to fix this. 💪🏾 🫱🏾🫲🏾 In 2024, we doubled down on our support of finance-ready entrepreneurs. We conducted research and invested in running a self-funded pilot of Raise Ready, a programme designed to prepare entrepreneurs to go “beyond the pitch” and sign the deal. 🚀 In 2025, we will be running Raise Ready with two of our long-standing partners, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize and Orange Corners. We will be building out the content to cover not only equity, but grants and debt too. 🌱 As we step into 2025, we plan to continue to focus on our 3 key pillars (investors, hubs, entrepreneurs), with a special focus on easing the raising process for finance-ready entrepreneurs. Please reach out if you’d like to collaborate!