Young entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions in agrifood, nutrition and sustainability can apply for the AYA Accelerator, a 24-month enterprise growth programme designed to help youth-led ventures build sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable businesses. The accelerator is aimed at entrepreneurs with high-potential ventures that have the potential to contribute to stronger food systems, improved nutrition and sustainable development. Through long-term enterprise support, the programme seeks to help participating businesses strengthen their operations and create pathways for sustainable growth. Applications are currently open, with the deadline set for September 30, 2026. Women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons are strongly encouraged to apply, highlighting the programme’s focus on inclusive entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups. What Is the AYA Accelerator? The AYA Accelerator is a 24-month enterprise growth programme supporting young entrepreneurs who are building ventures in the areas of agrifood, nutrition and sustainability. Unlike a short-term entrepreneurship training programme, the accelerator is structured around enterprise growth and aims to support participating ventures as they work toward becoming sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable businesses. The programme is therefore particularly relevant to young founders who already have a venture and are looking for opportunities to strengthen its growth potential. Who Is the AYA Accelerator For? The programme is designed for young entrepreneurs building high-potential ventures in three key areas: Agrifood Nutrition Sustainability Applicants should have a venture aligned with one or more of these areas and demonstrate potential for business growth. The accelerator focuses specifically on youth-led ventures, making the programme relevant to young founders seeking support to move their businesses toward greater sustainability, revenue generation and scalability. Women entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons are particularly encouraged to submit applications. What Can Participating Ventures Gain? The AYA Accelerator is designed around enterprise growth over a 24-month period, providing a longer-term opportunity for participating businesses to develop. The programme’s stated objectives include helping youth-led ventures build: Sustainable businesses: Participants can work toward developing ventures capable of operating and growing over the long term. Revenue-generating enterprises: The accelerator focuses on helping ventures strengthen their potential to generate sustainable business revenue. Scalable businesses: High-potential ventures can use the programme as an opportunity to develop the foundations needed for expansion and increased impact. The extended 24-month timeframe distinguishes the programme from many shorter accelerator and entrepreneurship initiatives, giving participating ventures a longer period in which to pursue enterprise growth. Focus Areas: Agrifood, Nutrition and Sustainability The AYA Accelerator targets ventures working across three interconnected areas. Agrifood: Entrepreneurs developing products, services or business models connected to agriculture and food systems can explore the opportunity. Nutrition: Ventures addressing nutrition-related challenges can also align with the programme’s focus. Sustainability: Businesses developing sustainable solutions and approaches are another key target group. These focus areas create opportunities for young entrepreneurs whose businesses address challenges related to food, nutrition, agriculture and sustainable development. Why Young Entrepreneurs Should Consider Applying Building a successful enterprise requires more than an innovative idea. Young ventures also need sustainable business models, revenue generation and the ability to scale. The AYA Accelerator is specifically structured around these enterprise-growth priorities. Its 24-month duration provides participating entrepreneurs with an opportunity to focus on the longer-term development of their ventures rather than relying solely on short-term training. For founders working in agrifood, nutrition or sustainability, participation can also position their ventures within a programme specifically focused on businesses addressing important development and food-system challenges. Inclusion and Diverse Entrepreneurship The AYA Accelerator places particular emphasis on encouraging applications from groups that may face additional barriers to entrepreneurship. Women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons are strongly encouraged to apply. This inclusive approach provides an important opportunity for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who are building ventures within the accelerator’s focus areas. Eligible founders from these groups should therefore consider applying if their ventures meet the programme’s focus on agrifood, nutrition or sustainability. Programme Duration The AYA Accelerator is a 24-month enterprise growth programme. The long-term structure is intended to support youth-led businesses as they work toward becoming more sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable. Key details include: Programme: AYA Accelerator Duration: 24 months Target group: Young entrepreneurs Venture focus: Agrifood, nutrition and sustainability Business focus: Sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable ventures Priority applicants: Women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons Application status: Applications open Deadline: September 30, 2026 How to Apply Young entrepreneurs interested in participating should review the AYA Accelerator application information and assess whether their venture fits the programme’s focus areas. Applicants should ensure that their venture is youth-led and operates within agrifood, nutrition or sustainability. They should also be prepared to demonstrate the potential of their business to become sustainable, generate revenue and scale. The application should be submitted before the September 30, 2026 deadline. Because the programme is designed for high-potential ventures, entrepreneurs should clearly communicate the nature of their business and how it aligns with the accelerator’s enterprise-growth objectives. Application Deadline The deadline to apply for the AYA Accelerator is September 30, 2026. Young entrepreneurs interested in the programme are encouraged to begin preparing their applications early and submit them before the closing date. Final Takeaway The AYA Accelerator 2026 offers young entrepreneurs an opportunity to participate in a 24-month enterprise growth programme focused on building sustainable, revenue-generating and scalable ventures. With a focus on agrifood, nutrition and sustainability, the accelerator is particularly relevant to founders developing businesses that can contribute to stronger food systems and sustainable development. Women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons are strongly encouraged to apply, making the programme an important opportunity for inclusive youth entrepreneurship. Young founders with high-potential ventures should consider the opportunity before the September 30, 2026 application deadline. APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW