Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Program is a 6-month programme for innovative tech startups in Rwanda and Tanzania. 30 selected startups will be provided with the right infrastructure, skills and networks to advance their tech solutions.
This program is supported by Make-IT in Africa, a project by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Program, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- You are passionate about building an innovative high-growth venture addressing a need in a market
- Your product is built on technology: IOT/ Sensoring, Data Analytics/ Intelligence/ AI/ Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Drones/Aerial Imagery, Digital Platforms, Blockchain, etc.
- You and your team members are domain experts with complimentary skills and have a track record working as a team
- Your startup solution has a clear business model and is able to scale its operations in East Africa
- Your startup’s product/service contributes to the achievement of the SDGs (i.e. safe and fair job creation, potential to help underserved or low-income communities, climate mitigation and adaptation)
- You have women in your management team (executive or non-executive)
- Your operations are based in Rwanda or Tanzania.
Program Benefits
- 6-month free access to workspace at the Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali/Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha.
- Access to Makerspace / digital fabrication lab and product development support
- Business and leadership skills training with specialized experts
- Technical advisory support: legal, financial and digital marketing
- Individual mentoring with investors, business leaders and industry experts
- Online/offline meetups with peers and entrepreuneurial communities around the world
- Linkage with East African corporates, investors, and other key players.
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Interested applicants for the Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Program 2027 are to complete an online application on or before the application deadline. Applicants will be required to answer the questions asked correctly.
Application Deadline: December 15th, 2026 at 11:59 pm EAT
Visit the Official Website for Further Details
FAQs
1. What is the Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Program for East African Startups?
The Westerwelle Foundation Entrepreneurship Program is a fully funded support initiative designed to empower high-potential startups in East Africa. The program provides selected entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, investor networks, international exposure, workshops, and business development training. It focuses on scaling innovative businesses that demonstrate strong growth potential and social or economic impact in their communities.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the program?
The program is open to early-stage and growth-stage startups operating in East African countries. To qualify, applicants typically must:
Have a registered business in an East African country
Show proof of traction (customers, revenue, or partnerships)
Demonstrate scalability and innovation
Commit to participating in program activities
Startups from sectors such as technology, agriculture, health, education, and sustainability are encouraged to apply.
3. What benefits do selected startups receive?
Selected startups gain access to:
Tailored mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
Business strategy and leadership training
Networking opportunities with investors and global partners
Access to international markets
Pitching opportunities at demo days and global events
The program aims to strengthen business capacity and position startups for long-term success and funding opportunities.
4. How can I apply for the Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Program?
Interested entrepreneurs can apply online through the official website of the Westerwelle Foundation. Applicants are required to complete an online application form, submit company details, and provide information about their business model, traction, and growth plans. It is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and submit all required documents before the application deadline.