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Become a Founder

Our Waves is for individuals who are passionate about launching ventures for climate resilience but are yet to find investors, teammates, or even solid business ideas.

 

We are here to support you. All you need to bring is your talent and commitment to building climate resilience for vulnerable communities and our planet.

As a venture launcher, our waves offer an accessible path to entrepreneurship and is designed to change the status quo for who can become a startup founder. We are committed to the principles that diverse teams create more inclusive and responsible products and businesses, and that local context is key for sustained impact.

In the TECA Waves you will:

Make a real impact by launching a venture for climate resilience

Be connected with global experts and mentors to help guide your thinking and venture development

Strengthen and build your team

Formalize your operations

Really understand your users

Refine your business model

Build proof of demand for your product

Rapidly iterate on your prototype

Create powerful marketing products

Develop the data room investors want to see

Sharpen your pitch and networking skills

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WAVES

Eligibility Criteria

1. Personal Eligibility

  • Age: You must be between 25 and 55 years old.
  • Nationality: We welcome applicants of all African nationalities, provided they are currently based on the continent rather than abroad.
  • Language: The program is delivered in English, unless otherwise noted. You must have a strong understanding of both spoken and written English.
  • Commitment: You must be working full-time on your startup. During the program, you cannot be enrolled in full-time education( over 30 hours a week ), hold another full-time job (over 30 hours a week ), or participate in another time-intensive accelerator ( over 20 hours a week ).
  • Accessibility: You must have reliable internet access to consistently join virtual sessions. We understand that occasional disruptions happen, but a stable connection is required for meaningful participation.
  • To avoid potential conflicts of interest, you must not operate a side business that directly competes with or operates within the same sector as your primary team’s focus.

2. Team & Company Profile

  • Team: Strong pre-existing teams are encouraged. Solo founders are welcome, but must actively seek co-founders during the program.
  • Diversity: We value diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds, and strongly encourage female founders and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. Teams with a well-distributed expertise across business, engineering, science (Environmental, Forestry, Marine, etc ), product design, entrepreneurship and other relevant disciplines are invited to apply.
  • Company Status: Your company should already be registered or actively in the process of registering in your home country.
  • Company Stage: Your startup should be pre-revenue or just beginning to generate revenue from early customers.
  • Company Structure: The company must have an active and legally binding founders’ agreement and a documented shareholding structure outlining equity distribution among all stakeholders.
  • Team Composition: The ideal founding team should consist of 2 to 3 members. While teams larger than this are not strictly disqualified, we generally advise against larger teams due to potential challenges in coordination and decision-making. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

3. Alignment with Our Mission

  • Problem Fit: Your startup must address a clear climate-related challenge, such as drought, flooding, extreme heat, pests and disease, or sea level rise. We’re looking for founders who are deeply passionate about the problem, even if their solution is still evolving.
  • Openness to Pivot: Early-stage startups often change direction. Teams should be flexible and open to refining their solutions based on learning and feedback.
  • Readiness for Investment: TECA offers returnable grants. Once your startup reaches a reasonable revenue or follow-on investment threshold, you should be prepared to take on repayable funding.

4. Culture & Community Fit

  • Respect: TECA fosters a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Bullying, discrimination, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Startups should also aim to create an equitable impact for their users and communities.
  • Community Mindset: TECA is more than a program—it’s a community. Fellows are expected to share knowledge, support their peers, and contribute to the growth of the network.

Entrepreneur Profile

Entrepreneurial mindset

We’re looking for founders who are creative, opportunistic, and comfortable with uncertainty. Entrepreneurs who can spot promising business ideas and have the vision and determination to make them a reality.

Results-oriented

Successful founders know how to focus on outcomes and impact rather than getting bogged down in process. They have a bias toward action and get things done. We want people who set ambitious goals and hold themselves accountable.

Team player 

The ability to collaborate, share credit, and check ego at the door is crucial. Our founders need to be able to build relationships, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts. Ventures thrive on diversity and cross-functional teams.

Strong work ethic 

Turning an idea into a scalable, investment-ready business requires intense effort and perseverance. Our founders must be self-starters who are willing to make sacrifices and outwork the competition. They cannot be afraid to roll up their sleeves.

Passion for climate resilience 

We want founders who are dedicated to driving positive environmental impact alongside business growth. They should be intrinsically motivated to make a difference on issues like emissions reduction, adaptation, and climate justice.

High preference for candidates who have been entrepreneurs before

Previous startup experience is a significant advantage. Founders who have worn multiple hats, dealt with uncertainty, and learned from past ventures will have a leg up. However, hunger, aptitude and mindset are most important.

The Africa Wave is ongoing

Are you our next founder? Keep checking for the next Africa wave.