The Ray of Hope Accelerator Program

Calling all nature-inspired startups! Join a diverse cohort of high-impact visionary leaders. Receive personalized support, access to funding, attend a Nature Retreat and more. Apply today and be part of a community driving positive change!

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They accelerate the growth of nature-inspired startups to scale systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

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Every year, they support a cohort of 10 high-impact nature-inspired startups, spanning from Pre-seed to Series A stages and representing various sectors and regions.

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Funding Information

  • Each selected startup receives $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 worth of in-kind services. This includes tailored coaching, investor introductions, a four-day Nature Retreat, and comprehensive training materials covering topics such as Impact and Sustainability Business Training, Innovation Storytelling & Amplification, DEI, and Founder Mental Health.

Eligibility Criteria

  • To be eligible, you need to meet a certain number of requirements:
    • Nature-inspired solutions are a broad classification of innovation that encompasses a great number of technology categories. At their accelerator, a nature-inspired solution draws inspiration from the natural world, often adapting biological principles and properties, ecological relationships or other aspects of nature’s strategies to address humanity’s greatest environmental challenges.
    • Your Nature-Inspired Solution(s) may be:
      • Grounded in deep scientific research – like Retein
      • Evolved from an understanding of biological systems – like Mycocycle
      • Enabling bio-inspired solutions – like Fusion Bionic
    • Historically, the nature-inspired startups they support fit within at least one of the following verticals:
      • Chemistry and Materials
      • Built Environment
      • Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics
      • Renewable Energy
      • Transportation and Mobility
      • Food and Agriculture
      • Conservation and Remediation
      • Life Sciences and Medtech
      • Biotechnology
      • Consumer Products, Cosmetics, Textiles
      • Water
      • BlueTech
      • Climate Tech
    • They support early-stage startups at the Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A stages. Most startups entering their program have a working prototype (i.e.: achieved a Technology Readiness Level of 4) and secured between $250,000 and $5M in funding (friends and family, grants, private investor, VC). There are exceptions, however, and they encourage you to apply as they will evaluate your fit within the program holistically.
    • As a global accelerator program, they welcome applicants from all over the world.
    • Your startup must be established with a legal entity before entering the accelerator program and receiving the allocated non-dilutive funding. Historically startups they have supported have two or more full time team members.
    • At least one founder/executive team member must actively engage with the accelerator by participating in the program, submitting deliverables and attending the mandatory in-person week (including a 4 day Nature Retreat).

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At Funding Square, we help African entrepreneurs and organizations access funding through three expert services:

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  1. Grant Research Service – Get 50 tailored grant opportunities handpicked for your business or nonprofit, saving you time and effort.
  2. Grant Proposal Writing – We craft compelling, funder-friendly proposals that grab attention and increase your chances of success.
  3. Fundraising Business Plan – A powerful, funding-ready business plan designed to attract grants, loans, and investors.

Let’s turn your funding goals into reality!

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Contact us today by sending us an email at hello@fundingsquare.org

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