Jasiri Talent Investor Programme

The Jasiri Talent Investor Program is designed for highly driven individuals in East Africa who aspire to launch high-growth ventures. The program invests in individuals first, guiding selected Jasiri Fellows through all stages of venture creation, from ideation to business formalization. Ideal candidates demonstrate a history of achievement and entrepreneurial action, possess significant insights and expertise in a field or industry, and are committed to building an innovative venture from scratch. Applicants should be citizens of Ethiopia, Kenya, or Rwanda, residing in their respective country or diaspora. The program requires a full and active 14-month participation, including a mandatory 3-month residential intensive in Bugesera, Rwanda. Women entrepreneurs and candidates living in the diaspora are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply on jasiri.org; Cohort 9 focuses on food systems and reviews applications on a rolling basis, so earlier applicants hear back sooner.

The selection has six stages:
1. Application form about your experience, skills and track record.
2. Entrepreneurial Intentions assessment.
3. Psychometric tests and a short video on "Why Jasiri, and why now".
4. Selection Conference with live group challenges and casework.
5. Interviews.
6. Offer.

Who can apply: Kenyan, Rwandan or Ethiopian citizens, at home or in the diaspora, with years of hands-on work in their field and proof they have built something and sold to customers before. You need no food systems background, but you must commit to a food systems venture.

What it involves: 13 months, starting with an online Jumpstart from 18 January 2027 and a three-month Residential Intensive in Kigali (17 February to 23 May 2027), then up to nine months of venture creation. You can apply while employed, but fellows work full-time from January 2027. Jasiri publishes a venture creation grant of about USD 28,000 per venture, paid in milestone tranches.