Back the beginning
Community contributions and catalytic grants help teams research, prototype, and run early trials before revenue exists.
For Africa's founders. For the communities counting on them.
Build what matters.Prove what works.Make it last.
You see a problem because you live close to it. Yabas helps founders across Africa turn that understanding into ventures that serve their communities, with practical guidance, a team and people who believe in the work.
Starting in Sierra Leone. Growing across Africa. Form your team year-round. Admission to each 16-week Yabas Class is selective. View Classes and application dates →
Lasting solutions.
The Yabas philosophy
The need is real.
The payer may be different.
When a farmer, patient, or learner needs something they cannot afford, that is not a reason to give up. It is a reason to design a different business model. We help founders test who benefits, who could pay, and what keeps the solution running.
Understand the modelProve the solution
Founders build with the people they serve, test real use, and measure what improves. Progress is evidence of value—not just a finished product.
Find a sustainable payer
Teams explore whether businesses, institutions, or other customers will pay for the value created—while keeping the solution accessible to those who need it.
Discover ventures
Find a venture to support.
Local teams. Real needs. A next step you can help make possible.
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Support approved validation work. Non-equity funding does not provide shares or financial returns. YABAS retains a 10% platform fee on confirmed non-equity funding; applying to the Fellowship is free.
The Yabas Venture Fellowship
A selective Class.
Committed founders.
Hands-on Partner support.
Selected teams work with Yabas Partners and specialist Advisers to turn local knowledge into useful products and credible plans for sustainability. Register and prepare year-round; submit within the published Class intake dates. Students, professionals, and community builders are welcome. Creating an account does not mean admission, and admission does not guarantee funding.
Explore Fellowship ClassesStart with a problem and a team
Show your understanding of a real need, your connection to the people affected, and your ability to build. Selection values insight, integrity, and execution—not pitch polish alone.
Work with Yabas Partners
A Group Partner supports each team through regular office hours, honest feedback, and practical introductions. Specialist Advisers contribute when deeper expertise is needed.
Build toward independence
Test adoption, costs, and potential payers. Use the evidence to pursue the right next step: a paying customer, an institutional partnership, further backing, or investment.
How ventures grow
Yabas means onions in Krio.
Ventures grow in layers — understanding, support, evidence. Teams revisit these layers as they learn, testing both the solution and how to sustain it. The goal is lasting value, whether through a company, a hybrid venture, or a durable public service.
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01
Problem
Understand the real need.
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02
Team
Bring the right people together.
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03
Backing
Seek support to begin.
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04
Solution
Build with the people you serve.
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05
Evidence
Test what makes a difference.
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06
Revenue
Find a sustainable payer.
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07
Venture
Build for the long term.
Build it here. Make it matter.
An important problem.
A team ready to solve it.
Bring your local knowledge, technical ambition, and commitment to the people you serve.
Or help a team take the first steps toward a solution your community needs.