ACCELERATING WEST AFRICAS JUST TRANSITION
We are west Africa’s first gender lens Venture studio programme.
We equip, nurture and fund entrepreneurs who are building climate adaption and mitigation solutions across West Africa for a true just transition.
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Who we are
Startup Discovery School Africa is part of Startup Discovery School a UK innovation consultancy that collaborates with public and private sector organisations to design innovation programmes to tackle and address the climate crisis with intersectionality in mind.
Startup Discovery School Africa is on a mission to tackle the African climate crisis by raising diverse leaders within the west African corridor through its various programmes.
The inaugural venture studio programme is in collaboration with Autodesk Foundation and Sahara Impact ventures, designed to enable ambitious local founders with capital, dedicated support from a team of international and local operators, and access to a state of the art hardware facility and specialist Autodesk tools.
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startups, 45% female led
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in investment and £10m in grant funding
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hours of mentorship and business support
Our focus areas
Africa is at the forefront of climate change impacts, despite only contributing to less than 4% of global GHG emissions, Africa is facing rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and dwindling resources that threaten livelihoods and ecosystems. The effects are disproportionately felt by women and youth, who often bear the brunt of climate-related challenges while being key agents of change in their communities. A just transition is essential to empower these groups, ensuring they have a voice in sustainable development and climate adaptation strategies. By integrating their insights and leadership, Africa can forge a path toward resilience that not only addresses immediate environmental issues but also fosters equity, innovation, and long-term sustainability for all.
We believe the following sectors are a primary focus to drive change
How innovation is driving sustainable agriculture practices and food security
Energy
Exploring the transformative power of clean and renewable energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels
Adaptation
Technologies enabling communities and businesses to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change
Our work
Climate Champion Pitch Competition
Startup Discovery School and Sahara Impact Ventures, in collaboration with Autodesk Foundation and Academic City University College, hosted their inaugural pitch competition in search of the best ventures across Ghana tackling climate change. 10 startups pitched in Accra for cash prizes of up to $3000.
Startup Discovery School x Autodesk Foundation Ecosystem Roundtable
Hosted in Accra, Startup Discovery School led a roundtable gathering bringing together diverse minds from across the startup ecosystem, working across their respective fields towards an inclusive and equitable transition to a net-zero environment for Ghana. Candid conversations explored the experiences of early-stage founders, the role of international funders, learnings from academic contributions, and how we can continue to build ways forward.
