We’re focused on catalyzing and supporting ventures that align with the following sub-sectors:
Clean Energy Access and Productive Use Innovations
Innovations that expand clean energy access and enable productive use including innovations that scale off-grid energy solutions, grid reliability and affordability, and mini-grid models.
Urban
Innovations
Africa's rapidly urbanizing cities are creating urgent demand for smarter, more resilient infrastructure. We are looking for solutions to the challenges of urban growth - reducing emissions, expanding access to essential services, and creating livelihoods for underserved communities.
E-Mobility Innovations
To decarbonize transport systems, enhance accessibility, and address the unique mobility challenges. We are interested in ventures developing electric vehicles, battery-swapping solutions, electric charging and innovation financing solutions to unlock mobility.
Data, AI and Fintech
Embedded finance models are making solar, e-mobility, and climate-resilient agriculture accessible to millions of low-income households. From PAYGo financing to parametric insurance to carbon credit infrastructure, climate fintech founders are building financial rails with real cash flows and growing investor appetite.
Agriculture & Food Systems
Africa's food systems are under pressure - post-harvest losses, rising input costs, and smallholder farmers bearing the brunt of shifting weather patterns. We back founders building climate-smart inputs, supply chain innovations, and farm monitoring tools that increase yields and put more income in farmers' hands.
There are two ways to work with us.
Founder Residency
You have a venture at idea to early-revenue stage. You need capital, operational expertise, and a network of investors and operators who've built on the continent. Our residencies give you all three - in a hands-on program built around your venture, not a generic curriculum.
Build with Delta40
You have deep domain expertise and a problem worth solving, but you're still shaping the venture. We co-build companies from the ground up - bringing ideas, capital, and a team of experienced operators who've done it before in Africa.
Designed with valuable insights from founders, investors, and successful programs, our goal is to turn climate innovations into commercial businesses, empower exceptional founders, and bridge critical gaps in technology, capital, support, and expertise.
In line with Delta40s’ mission, we aim for 50% or more of our capital & portfolio will be female founders.
The Delta40 Difference
We don’t just invest in ventures; we build alongside our founders, leveraging a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and operators who have built companies on the continent.
We build alongside you
Our team are founders and operators who've built and scaled companies on this continent - from idea to exit. We don't sit across the table from you. We get into the work, help you operationalize, and stay accountable to your outcomes.
We have a physical space for you
Our studios in Nairobi and Lagos are where founders, investors, and operators work side by side. From the moment you join Delta40, you can walk in and tap into a shared CFO, commercial lead, or talent expert and share lunch and ideas with founders who are building the same future you are.
We back founders on the front lines
Over 75% of our investors and team have built ventures in Africa. We invest at the earliest stages - when the risk is highest and the support is thinnest - because we believe the founders closest to the problem are best positioned to solve it. That's who we built Delta40 for.
We connect you to the people who can scale you
Our network spans 100+ active co-investors, corporates, and growth stage companies across Africa and globally. We don't just introduce you to investors, we connect you to the strategic partners, distribution channels, and follow-on capital that help ventures go from early traction to pan-African scale.
We don't just back ventures. We build them
30% of what we do is creating new companies from scratch - with founders, scientists, and partners who see a gap worth solving. If you have the expertise and the conviction, we'll help build the rest together.
Is Delta40 the right fit for you?
We're selective by design. We take on a small number of founders each year so we can show up as a true partner and go deep. Here's how to know if that's you:
You're a strong fit if:
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You're a founder on the front lines with deep domain expertise in your sector
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Your venture or idea is in clean energy, urban mobility, e-mobility, climate fintech, or data & AI for climate
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You have an MVP in market, or a problem thesis backed by years of real domain experience
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You're collaborative - you want to co-create with a team to scale your idea or venture
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You're building for scale: a path to 1 million+ lives impacted is part of your vision
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You're ready to commit - full-time or close to it
How We Show Up For You
We don't just advise from the sidelines, here's what building with Delta40 actually looks like.
01
Our Team and Space, Embedded in Your Venture
You get access to our studios in Nairobi and Lagos and the full Delta40 venture studio team - experienced operators who roll up their sleeves and help you operationalize, not just advise. A shared CFO, commercial lead, and talent expert working inside your business every week.
02
Access to Capital
Opportunities to pitch for feasibility study grants, studio investments ($25K–$250K), and additional co-investor funding.
03
Strategy to Operations Sessions
We move from strategy into execution together. Regular sessions where we work through your hardest operational challenges - finance, hiring, commercial - and leave rolling up our sleeves together.
04
Masterclasses and
Sprints
Targeted sessions on fundraising, board construction, AI adoption, carbon markets, and more - built around what your cohort actually needs.
05
Community and Ecosystem
You join a network of founders, operators, and investors who are building the same future you are. Curated events in Nairobi and Lagos and we make sure the right people are in the room.
06
Exit for Impacts
Strategy
Exit planning from Day 1. At Delta40, we’re reimagining how we plan for and facilitate exits through an ecosystem approach. We also support founders on long-term exit strategies through our in-house developed workshops and planning tools.
05
Exit for Impacts
Strategy
Exit planning from Day 1. At Delta40, we’re reimagining how we plan for and facilitate exits through an ecosystem approach. We also support founders on long-term exit strategies through our in-house developed workshops and planning tools.
What founders say about
working with Delta40
"The support during the Basecamp was outstanding, particularly the 1:1 pitch practice sessions and the forums. These personalized interactions provided invaluable, tailored feedback, helping refine my presentation and strategy. The workshops, expert panels, and in-field visits were also incredibly insightful, equipping me with practical tools to scale my venture. Additionally, the networking opportunities with global investors and ecosystem leaders were well-facilitated and impactful."
"The program provided invaluable insights into capital strategy, particularly around structuring our capital stack to blend equity, debt, and grant funding. Through sessions with capital experts, we developed a clear pitch for future funding rounds and refined our financial forecasting to present to investors, giving us a stronger foundation for engaging with potential funders in the coming months."
"The program helped me push my business to the
next level by providing networks and also upskilling my business skills"
Ready to build something that matters?
Whether you're applying to a residency or exploring what it means to build on the front line with Delta40, we want to hear from you.
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Not sure which path fits? No pitch deck needed for a first conversation prithika@delta40.com
FAQs
Not sure which path fits? Reach out to prithika@delta40.com for more information
For Residency Applicants
1 / What stage should my venture be at
We work with founders from idea to early revenue. You don't need to be generating revenue yet, but we do look for evidence of commitment - whether that's a closed angel round, bootstrapped capital you've put in yourself, or at least 12 months of full-time dedication to the venture.
2 / Do I need a co-founder to apply?
No, but we do look for teams with complementary skills. If you're a solo technical founder, we'll work with you to identify a commercial co-founder as part of the program.
3 / What does the residency actually involve?
It's hands-on and embedded - not just a series of workshops. You'll get a fractional CFO, commercial lead, and talent expert working inside your business on a recurring basis, alongside access to capital, investor introductions, and targeted masterclasses. Expect to dedicate at least 10 hours a week to the program.
4 / When can I apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We recommend applying early as cohort spots are limited - we keep cohorts small deliberately so we can go deep with each venture.
5 / How many ventures do you take per cohort?
We keep cohorts deliberately small - typically between six to twelve ventures. This is what allows us to go deep rather than broad. It also means we're selective, so we encourage you to apply early.
6 / What happens after the program ends?
You exit with financial systems, hiring plans, a refreshed investor data room, and follow-on introductions. Ventures that are a strong fit for Delta40 equity investment are considered for our fund on commercial terms.
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You will always be part of the Delta40 ecosystem!
7 / Will Delta40 take equity?
This depends on the program and the nature of support provided. We'll always be transparent about terms upfront — no surprises.
For Venture Build Founders
1 / What does "building with Delta40" mean?
If you have deep domain expertise and a problem worth solving but are still shaping the venture, we can co-build with you from the ground up. We bring the operating infrastructure, capital, and a team that's done it before in Africa - you bring the expertise and conviction
2 / What kind of founders are you looking for here?
Operators, scientists, and domain experts who have spent years close to a problem and are ready to build a company around it. You don't need a fully formed idea but you do need a clear point of view on the problem and genuine founder energy.
3 / How is this different from the residency?
The residency supports ventures that already exist. The venture build track is for building something new together with Delta40 as a co-creator from day one.
4 / What does Delta40 bring to a venture build?
We bring a founding team infrastructure - CFO, commercial lead, talent, and product support - alongside capital and our investor network. Think of us as a co-founder with an operating system built for Africa.