Twelve-month program for climate-tech startups launched by the Botswana Innovation Fund
The Scalar Botswana Innovation Programme (SBIP), a 12-month venture program to support ten climate and digital technology startups, was introduced by the Botswana Innovation Fund (BIF), a government-backed innovation financing organization.
The SBIP, which was established by BIF in collaboration with investment firm Scalar International, aims to support startups at the nexus of energy and digital infrastructure while also accelerating the adoption of sustainable technologies that can enhance energy access and bolster regional resilience.
A structured 12-month program will guide chosen startups from ideation and prototype development to commercialization and investor readiness. In addition to developing minimum viable products, testing prototypes, and refining concepts, participants will also receive market intelligence, regulatory compliance, financial modeling, and customer acquisition guidance, as well as mentorship from industry experts.
In addition to digital and data-driven technologies like fintech, artificial intelligence, and other deep tech applications, the program will concentrate on startups developing distributed energy and renewable energy solutions like microgrids. Innovations in water management, energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and wider digital infrastructure will also be supported.
Scalar International’s Africa Decarbonization Fund I, a US$150 million private equity fund that funds sustainable infrastructure projects throughout the SADC region, is open to startups with strong growth potential.
“This programme reflects a deliberate evolution in Botswana’s innovation strategy,” said Thulagano Merafe Segokgo, Botswana’s minister of communications and innovation. “We are positioning innovation as a central driver of economic transformation, aligned with our national priority plans and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, to accelerate diversification, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable growth.”
