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https://shona.co/shona-projects/the-neycha-accelerator-fund-cohort-4/
*The Neycha Accelerator & Fund Cohort 4*
The Neycha Accelerator & Fund (Neycha) is an initiative of SHONA Group and Biovision Foundation that identifies and partners with growth-oriented Agroecological Enterprises (AEEs) in Kenya and Uganda, providing them with the capacity, capital and connections they need to grow their impact and businesses.
Neycha is launching its 4th cohort, supported by Partnerships for Forests, specifically dedicated to supporting the growth of 10 tree-based and forest-friendly, growth-oriented agroecological enterprises operating in the *coffee, cocoa, macadamia nuts, apiary, shea, avocado, and bamboo* value chains in Kenya and Uganda.
Deadline: *Friday 14 August 2026*
Through Neycha Cohort 4, our goal is to regenerate and protect tropical forest landscapes, empower local communities, and foster inclusive, long-term growth in Kenya and Uganda.
What it takes to qualify for the Program
*Registration*
- Legally registered and based in Uganda or Kenya.
- Locally owned – at least 50% of the enterprise is owned by a Ugandan or Kenyan.
*Profile of enterprises*
- At least 2-3 years old, and generating at least USD 40,000 in annual revenue.
- Commercially viable with a clear market opportunity and tested business model.
- Operating in the coffee, cocoa, shea, macadamia, bamboo, avocado, or apiary value chains.
- Farmer-centric business model, operating primarily in aggregation and/or processing.
- Preference for women-driven enterprises (women-owned or women-led or majority women in the value chain).
- Employing more than 5 people (including permanent and semi-permanent), with at least one founder employed by the business.
- Evidence of basic financial management practices.
- Evidence of basic traceability systems.
*Impact criteria*
- Practicing and or promoting agroecological farming practices with an emphasis on the adoption of agroforestry practices within their value chain.
- Reaching at least 3,000 ha under sustainable production with the potential to double this within 5 years.
- Engaging at least 3,000 smallholder farmers in their value chain with potential to double this within 5 years.
*Leadership*
- Led by an ambitious, passionate, coachable entrepreneur with experience in the sector.
- Interest in growing the business.
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