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Neycha: The First Agroecology Accelerator and Fund

Agroecological enterprises are a key element in the transformation towards just and sustainable food systems. To enable them to scale up and create more local jobs and impact, we and our partner organization Shona set up the Neycha Accelerator & Fund to provide capacity building, networking and access to capital.

Background : Agroecological enterprises need suitable access to finance

Agroecological enterprises (AEEs), such as food producers and processors, organic input suppliers, marketing platforms or restaurants, are key system innovators for a transformation of our food systems, while creating local value and sustainable job opportunities. Unfortunately, AEEs often struggle to access suitable financing for various reasons: for example, their financial needs might be too small for traditional investors, or they might not be able to meet demanding loan conditions and interest rates. Additionally, the benefits that AEEs offer to nature and people are often not considered or valued by financiers, who usually invest in conventional business models.

Aims: Capacity building, capital and connections

The Neycha Accelerator and Fund is the first vehicle to blend capacity building and finance for AEEs that are committed to operating in line with the 13 principles of agroecology. Through Neycha, the enterprises gain access to a capacity-building programme and innovative and well-tuned financing opportunities. The enterprises will be able to improve their business-related skills, including impact measurement, agroecological practices, human resources management and approaches to gender sensitivity. This support will strengthen them and enable them to scale up. Furthermore, they will also be connected to other AEEs, markets and investors, which will help them to strengthen their businesses and access larger follow-up investments by more commercial financiers.

Upcoming activities: Enabling agroecological enterprises to thrive

The agroecology accelerator was officially launched in June 2023 and will be deploying its first investments in the following years.
Important to know: Biovision’s funds only support the set-up and operation of the accelerator, plus capacity building and connection activities. The investments for the loan fund of the project are from other financiers and run by Shona Capital, the investment arm of the non-profit organization Shona.

The “Neycha Accelerator & Fund” is part of the programme “Investing in the agroecological business case“.

to the project overview
Sub-Saharan Africa
AgricultureMarkets
At a glance

Project name:

Agroecology Accelerator
Project country:
Kenya
Uganda

Project budget in CHF :

1387510
Participants:
Small and medium sized enterprises
Project Officer:
Fabio Leippert
Project phase:
2023-2025
Partner organizations:

Shona Uganda

The project addresses the following SDGs from UN Agenda 2030:

This project is supported by SDC

Project website

Neycha Accelerator & Fund

The "Neycha Accelerator & Fund" website targets agroecological enterprises in Kenya and Uganda. Neycha identifies growth-oriented agroecological enterprises and provides them with access to capacity building, capital and networking to expand their impact and business.

Neycha Accelerator Logo
To the website

To support this project or get further information, please contact

Sharon Nehrenheim
Head of Communication & Fundraising, Member of the Executive Committee
E-mail
+41 44 512 58 13
Linkedin

Facts and figures about the project

By 2025
AEEs will have accessed knowledge and connections.
By 2025
AEEs will have received flexible investments.

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