Savant Build Cohort 4 Offers African Deep-Tech Founders €80,000 Investment
Savant has opened applications for Cohort 4 of the Savant Build Programme, a funded accelerator supporting African deep-tech and hardware founders building scalable solutions for climate and green economy sectors. Applications close on 15 June 2026, with the three-month programme beginning in August 2026.
Top-performing graduates may qualify for grant funding of €80,000, approximately R1.6 million, following successful completion of the programme. Exceptional companies may also be considered for further equity investment through the Savant Venture Fund.
Built for Founders the Continent Keeps Overlooking
The Savant Build Programme Cohort 4 African deep-tech founders initiative is not a typical accelerator. The programme created to address a gap Savant has repeatedly observed over its 20-year history of working with science, engineering and deep-tech ventures across Africa: highly capable technical founders often struggle to access the commercial support, strategic guidance and investment readiness required to scale breakthrough technologies.
The 2026 cohort will focus primarily on startups developing solutions in climate-tech and the green economy, including decarbonisation, resource efficiency, sustainable energy, conservation, circular economy, water and waste management. A limited number of standout deep-tech and hardware ventures outside these sectors will also be considered.
“We invest in founders beyond capital,” said Nick Allen, Managing Partner at Savant. “Technical founders are solving some of the continent’s most important challenges, but the support they need is fundamentally different from what most traditional accelerators offer.”
The track record speaks for itself. Alumni companies have collectively raised more than R150 million after participating in the programme, while participating startups have achieved an average 150% revenue growth post-programme. Some of the programme’s top-performing ventures have increased their valuations by up to 7x.
Notable South African companies that have participated in the programme include AI Diagnostics, which recently raised R85 million, and Pyroltech, which recently secured R13 million in funding. Both companies reflect the kind of high-impact, investment-ready ventures the Savant Build Programme Cohort 4 African deep-tech founders track designed to produce. For context on how accelerators are reshaping Africa’s startup landscape, Disrupt Africa’s 2025 funding report offers a useful benchmark.
The 2026 Build Programme supported by Savant, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT). Founders can apply here before the June 15 deadline. More information is available at www.savant.co.za/build.
