9 grants, accelerators and hackathons closing before December 2026: deadlines, money and who can apply
From a $10,000 stipend to a $1 million pitch prize. What each one offers, who qualifies, the catch, and the link to apply.
Every week someone sends me a grant link on WhatsApp, usually two days after it closed. So this week I went through what is genuinely still open for African founders between now and 6 December 2026. I found 9 programmes worth your time: 2 grants, 4 accelerators, 1 incubator, 1 hackathon and 1 pitch competition, with prizes from $10,000 in stipends up to $1 million in investment.
Below is each one with who can apply, what you actually get, and the catch nobody mentions. Every entry links to the application page. Dates can move, so confirm on the official page before you submit.
At a glance: deadlines in order
- 23 OctHalcyon Agri and Food AcceleratorAccelerator, $10,000 stipend
- 25 OctD-PrizeGrant, up to $20,000 (early round)
- 26 OctHer Startup AcceleratorWomen founders, stipend and training
- 1 NovGlobal Energy HackathonHackathon, $10,000+ in prizes
- 2 NovMIT Solve 2027Prize, equity-free funding
- 6 NovStartup World CupPitch competition, $1M investment
- 18 NovTechstarsAccelerator, investment
- 30 NovOrange Corners NigeriaIncubator, up to €35,000
- 6 DecOceanHub AfricaAccelerator, ocean businesses
Closing this week
Halcyon Africa Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator
When: This is the first deadline for consideration.
Who can apply: Agriculture and food ventures in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.
What you get: A $10,000 equity-free stipend and $10,000 in AWS credits.
The catch: Agri and food businesses only.
D-Prize
When: 25 October (early), 15 November (regular), 6 December (extension).
Who can apply: People launching a new organisation that delivers a proven poverty solution in health, farming, water, energy or education.
What you get: Up to $20,000 to start.
The catch: It funds something new, not an existing business. Applying early improves your odds.
Her Startup Accelerator, cohort 2
Who can apply: Women founders aged 18 to 35 with a tech-enabled product in Africa and at least $500 a month in revenue for the last six months.
What you get: A 12-week programme with fees covered, a monthly stipend, and a chance to pitch for revenue-based financing.
The catch: You sign an equity agreement with Founder Institute, and any financing is repaid from revenue. Ask for both sets of terms in writing.
Closing in the next two weeks
Global Energy Hackathon
When: 30 October to 1 November, online.
Who can apply: Anyone in Africa, solo or in a team of up to four. Free to enter.
What you get: A share of over $10,000 in cash and prizes, plus mentorship.
The catch: It runs over one weekend, so clear your diary.
MIT Solve 2027 Global Challenges
When: 2 November, 12 noon US Eastern (about 6pm in Lagos).
Who can apply: Teams with a working prototype or more, tackling climate, economic prosperity, health or learning.
What you get: Equity-free prize funding and nine months of coaching and support.
The catch: Ideas alone are not accepted. You need something that already works.
Startup World Cup
When: Each country or regional round sets its own deadline.
Who can apply: Startups in any sector. You enter through your country or regional round.
What you get: Regional winners pitch in San Francisco for a $1 million investment.
The catch: The prize is investment for equity, and each regional round sets its own date. Check yours.
Closing in November and December
Techstars
Who can apply: Startups with a product and a team ready to grow fast.
What you get: Three months of mentorship and an investment.
The catch: Techstars takes equity. Treat it as funding, not a gift.
Orange Corners Nigeria, cohort 16
Who can apply: Lagos-based founders aged 18 to 35 with a business under two years old, in sectors like agriculture, health, energy, tech or water.
What you get: A free six-month programme, up to €4,000 in allowance and prototype support, and a final pitch where 5 founders can win €10,000 to €35,000.
The catch: Only 20 people are selected, and the big prize is part grant, part loan.
OceanHub Africa, cohort 8
Who can apply: Businesses working on oceans, coasts and the blue economy.
What you get: Acceleration support and access to investors in the ocean sector.
The catch: Ocean-related businesses only.
How to apply without wasting your evening
Pick two. Most of these want something specific: a prototype, revenue, a sector, an age or a city. If you do not match, skip it.
Write one strong core answer. The problem, who pays, what you have done so far, and what the money changes. Then cut it to fit each form. Most rejections I have seen were not bad businesses. They were vague answers.
Never pay to apply. None of these programmes charge a fee. Anyone asking you to pay for a form or a guaranteed place is not part of the official process.
“Grants buy you time. Customers buy you a business. Apply, but keep selling while you wait.”
Questions founders ask
Which of these do not take equity? Halcyon, D-Prize, MIT Solve and the hackathon are equity-free. Orange Corners mixes grant and loan. Techstars, Startup World Cup and Her Startup involve equity or repayment.
I missed the Tony Elumelu Foundation grant. When is the next one? The 2026 round closed on 1 March. The next round usually opens early in the year, so start your answers now.
Not sure which kind of money fits you? Take the Founder Checkup. It takes about 5 minutes and points you to the funding route that suits your stage.
Found a programme I missed? Drop it in the comments and I will keep this list updated.
A guest post in Voices: the writer’s own experience and views, reviewed by Conceivr Daily editors before publishing. The writer used AI help. Write for Voices