Africa has abundant natural resources, yet grapples with many challenges, including food security, climate change, poverty, and youth unemployment. In response to these pressing issues, blueMoon Incubator fosters innovation and entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector, aiming to address these challenges through sustainable and impactful solutions.

blueMoon Incubator is Ethiopia's first agribusiness startup incubator. Founded in 2016 by Eleni Gabre-Madhin, a serial entrepreneur responsible for innovation at UNDP Africa, blueMoon Incubator's mission is to discover, incubate, and invest in exceptional ideas and founding teams in the agricultural sector.

The incubator presents an intensive four-month program, conducted biannually in Addis Ababa, engaging 10 teams comprising 2-3 entrepreneurs carefully chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants. Successful startups enrolled in the program receive tailored guidance, training, and entry to an extensive network of investors, service providers, and strategic partners. Additionally, they receive an initial funding of 200,000 Ethiopian birr (approximately $3,500) in exchange for 10% equity. Moreover, the participants gain access to 12 months of coaching from external volunteer mentors, who are seasoned business professionals, providing both individual and team support.

Upon completion of the incubation program, startups are presented with various funding options facilitated by blueMoon Ventures for their subsequent investment rounds. Additionally, the incubator provides versatile coworking spaces, and offices, as well as informal and formal meeting spaces, accessible around the clock and furnished with high-speed WiFi connectivity.

As a member of the AfriLabs network, blueMoon has signed partnerships with several companies and institutions. The incubator's partner institutions include Iceaddis, Digital Opportunity Trust, The xHub, The MasterCard Foundation, and Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs.

Melchior Koba