Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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Fully funded leadership program (no direct financial grant to fellows)
A six-month transformative leadership fellowship that brings together a cohort of extraordinary individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to solving problems of poverty in East Africa. Equips fellows with tools, community, and network to strengthen leadership, scale impact, and create meaningful change.
Fully Funded Program
All program costs covered including travel and accommodation for in-person immersives
Leadership Development
Six-month structured program: 1 virtual orientation (3 days), 2 in-person immersives (5 days each), 3 learning labs (4 hours each) plus self-paced assignments
Peer Cohort
Cohort of ~20 extraordinary social impact leaders from across East Africa
The Foundry Alumni Network
Lifetime access to Acumen's global alumni network providing tools, mentorship, funding opportunities, and community support
Acumen Global Network
Connection to Acumen's worldwide ecosystem of impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers
Adaptive Leadership
Understanding stakeholders' needs and navigating uncertainty to drive systemic change.
Polarity Management
Operating effectively in a world of opposing views and mobilizing others toward shared goals.
Authentic Voice
Crafting compelling stories that inspire action, form partnerships, and build connections.
Social impact leaders in East Africa with an entrepreneurial mindset and deep commitment to solving poverty. Values people who combine moral imagination with practical leadership — not just business founders but also nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and social innovators.
Graduates join The Foundry, Acumen's global alumni network providing ongoing tools, mentorship, funding opportunities, and community support. Lifetime membership in the Acumen Fellows community.
This is a leadership program, NOT a funding opportunity. No direct financial support to fellows or their organizations. Value is in network, skills, and community. Requires significant time commitment over six months.
This is distinct from Acumen's investment funds — it is a leadership development program. The real value is the alumni network (The Foundry) and peer cohort. If you're an East African social impact leader looking to level up your leadership rather than raise capital, this is one of the strongest programs available. Applications typically open in January.
2009
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
700+ fellows across all Acumen Fellowship programs globally; ~20 East Africa fellows selected annually since 2009