For African and global food system innovators, TheFutureCo’s Cohort 13 is an opportunity to gain investment, guidance, and industry exposure as your venture scales. The program is tailored to companies that already have traction and are ready to grow further. It’s not just a short accelerator — participants often remain connected long term for follow-on support.
What You’ll Receive (Benefits)
- Financial & In-Kind Support: Up to USD 20,000 investment plus in-kind services, in exchange for ~6% equity.
- Program Duration & Services: A 4-month accelerator with workshops and 1-on-1 mentorship across pitch development, business model, legal & governance, operations, branding, financial planning, distribution, and more.
- Network Access & Exposure: Connect with industry leaders, potential investors, cohorts of peers, and trade show opportunities (e.g., showcase at US food fairs).
- Follow-on Investment Possibility: TheFutureCo may lead or co-invest in subsequent rounds or introduce you to additional capital sources.
Who Should Apply (Eligibility)
To be considered, your startup should match the following:
- Annual revenue between USD 1 million and USD 3 million (a sign you already have traction).
- Be a mission-driven company operating in or targeting sectors such as:
- Consumer food & beverage
- AgTech / foodTech
- Supply chain / logistics
- Food hubs
- SaaS related to food systems
- Plant-based / sustainable foods
- Proof of concept or product market fit (you should be past pure idea stage)
- Be willing to participate (virtually and in at least some in-person events, e.g., Demo Day or trade shows in the U.S.)
- Be open to giving up ~6% equity for the investment + support package
Note: The program is global — you do not have to relocate to New York full time.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Tell a compelling localized story: Don’t just cite global statistics. Show how your product addresses food or agriculture challenges in your home market (e.g. supply chain gaps, waste, cold storage, distribution inefficiencies).
- Use real numbers: Include unit economics, margins, customer acquisition cost, retention, and forecasts with sensitivity scenarios (best case / worst case).
- Show your team’s capability: Emphasize relevant experience, domain knowledge, network, and execution track record.
- Clarify equity ask and use of funds: Be explicit about how you will deploy the investment and why you need ~6%.
- Prepare visuals: A concise deck (10–15 slides) with charts, timelines, and product snapshots often speaks louder than long prose.
- Anticipate questions: Be ready to explain risks (regulation, scale, operations), and your mitigation plan.
- Review & get feedback: Ask someone who has applied to similar programs or is familiar with food/Ag accelerators to critique your draft before submission.
- Mind file sizes and form limits: Some application portals may reject large attachments — upload lighter versions and link to heavy files (e.g. via Dropbox) if allowed.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Go to the official application page at foodfuture.co / the future co
- Click “Apply” (or similar)
- Fill in your company details, team, traction, financials, impact plan, and use-of funds
- Attach your pitch deck, financial model, and any supporting documents
- Submit before September 30, 2025
If you run into technical issues or need clarification, check the FAQ on their site or reach out via the accelerator’s contact channels.
