OceanHub Africa Acceleration Program

Enriched Impact Investor · Found: 2026-03-11 11:23

Accelerator for ocean-minded solutions addressing climate change, pollution, or sustainable value chains. For for-profit entities operating in Africa with scalable services and direct or indirect positive ocean impact. Application deadline January 16, 2026.

Source: https://oceanhub.africa/accelerator-program-2025

Funding Details

Funder

OceanHub Africa

Funding Goal

Accelerate high-potential, for-profit ocean-impact startups in Africa by providing mentorship, business development support, investor access, and catalytic financing to scale blue economy ventures.

Funding Amount

Interest-free loans of up to $30,000 USD via Blue Loop Fund (select Phase 2 participants only); additional in-kind support includes up to $75k AWS credits and up to $50k in legal/business advisory services. (up to 30.000 €)

Deadline

2026-04-17 (Rolling)

How to Apply

Apply via VC4A platform (vc4a.com/oceanhub-africa). Applications reviewed on a rolling first-come-first-serve basis from 10 November 2025. Pre-screening → shortlisting → final selection interviews (28–30 January 2026 for Cohort 7 March intake). Two intakes: March (longer track) and July (shorter track).

Target Region

Africa

Contact

OceanHub Africa, 40 Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001. Social: LinkedIn (oceanhub-africa), Twitter (@oceanhubafrica), Instagram (@oceanhub_africa), Facebook (OceanHubAfrica). Contact page: https://www.oceanhub.africa/contact/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:26

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a for-profit entity (companies, not NGOs or non-profits)
• Startup must operate primarily in Africa
• Must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) on the market or near launch
• At least 1.5 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) must be dedicated to the startup

Project Scope

• Ocean-minded focus required: sustainable blue food, clean ocean energy, pollution solutions, or low-carbon transport/ports

Constraints

• Two key C-level team members must be involved in the acceleration program
• Startup must cover travel costs (airfare and visa) for one representative for in-person bootcamp and Ocean Innovation Africa Summit
• Limited participation in other support programs concurrently during acceleration period

Summary

OceanHub Africa is Africa's leading ocean-impact accelerator, running a 12-month intensive program (Cohort 7, 2026/27) for up to 24 for-profit startups across four focus areas: Sustainable Blue Food, Clean Ocean Energy, Solutions to Pollution, and Low-Carbon Transport and Ports. The program operates in two phases — Phase 1 builds market and investment readiness, while Phase 2 (top 12 ventures) focuses on stakeholder engagement, investor introductions, and direct funding access. The program blends in-person bootcamps and summits with ongoing remote coaching and mentorship from a global network of ocean experts, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and corporate partners. Startups benefit from up to $75k in AWS cloud credits, up to $50k in legal and business advisory services, pitch training, deal structuring support, and direct introductions to impact investors and CVCs. Financial support is available through the Blue Regeneration Loop Finance Facility (BLF), backed by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Builders Vision, and DOEN Foundation. This facility offers interest-free loans of up to $30,000 USD to a select number of Phase 2 participants to achieve key scaling milestones. Participation requires covering travel costs for in-person components and accepting success fees of up to 5% on fundraising and 10% on commercial contracts secured through OHA introductions (or equity negotiation). Applications for the 2026/27 cohort opened on 10 November 2025 and are reviewed on a rolling basis, closing 17 April 2026. Two intakes are offered — March (longer track) and July (shorter track).

Historical Context

Program is in its 7th cohort (2026/27). Since inception, OceanHub Africa's portfolio has raised over $15.5 million USD (as of Cohort 5). The Blue Loop Facility is supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Builders Vision, and DOEN Foundation.

Why it was added

CE/waste accelerator or incubator

Similar Programs

← Back to list