Pharo Venture Studio Kigali, backed by Pharo Ventures, has launched a five-week Founder Residency program aimed at developing new businesses to tackle challenges in Rwanda's agricultural sector. The program, open to Rwandan citizens or legal residents, seeks entrepreneurs with direct or closely related experience in agriculture, preferably around five years. Selected founders will have access to up to $150,000 in direct investment, workspace in Kigali, and support in various areas.
The venture studio will select 10-15 candidates for the inaugural residency, with 4-6 founders eventually chosen to develop two to three businesses alongside the studio. Unlike a conventional accelerator or mentorship program, Pharo Venture Studio Kigali will work directly with selected founders from the idea stage through the potential launch of their businesses. The program is designed to create jobs and economic value in Rwanda's agricultural sector.
Pharo Venture Studio Kigali is focused on building ventures around challenges in Rwanda's agriculture sector, which employs 43.7% of the country's workforce but accounts for only 20.3% of GDP. The studio aims to address post-harvest inefficiencies, which result in an estimated half of harvest value being lost annually. By developing new businesses, the studio hopes to create lasting value in the sector.
During the residency, participants will take part in farm and agriculture field immersions, work in pairs, and develop and test venture ideas with experts. An external panel will assess the participants and their ideas at a final Pitch Day before selecting the 4-6 founders who will continue with the studio. The selected founders will retain a minority stake in their ventures, which can increase as the business develops.
Ashimwe Christine, Pharo Venture Studio Builder, Kigali, emphasized the importance of agriculture in Rwanda's economy and the need for new ideas and businesses to address real problems in the sector. The studio believes in the transformative power of basic, boring businesses and aims to create a space where founders can turn real agricultural challenges into businesses that can create lasting value.
Applications for the Founder Residency program are open until October 11, 2026, and can be submitted through the Pharo Venture Studio website. The program offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions to challenges in Rwanda's agricultural sector and create jobs and economic value.
The Pharo Venture Studio Kigali is a venture co-building platform rather than a fund, intending to identify market opportunities, validate ideas, and build companies around real problems in Rwanda's agriculture sector. The studio's approach is designed to support the growth of Rwanda's agricultural sector and contribute to the country's economic development.
Key points
- Pharo Venture Studio Kigali offers up to $150,000 in direct investment to selected founders.
- The studio aims to address post-harvest inefficiencies in Rwanda's agricultural sector.
- Applications for the Founder Residency program are open until October 11, 2026.
