Transforming Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Africa (TERA)

Build. Grow. Transform

About the program

TERA is a 6-month structured incubation programme designed to support
aspiring and early-stage women and Youth entrepreneurs across South Africa
and Southern Africa. Operating through the Bridge for Billions online platform.

What are the requirements to join as an entrepreneur?

TERA is for aspiring or early-stage venture entrepreneurs who have
developed a proof of concept, prototype or MVP demonstrating the
viability of your solution operating in Southern Africa food systems,
agribusiness, or climate-resilience sectors.
You should be committed to full participation in the programme,
including mentorship sessions, workshops, and peer learning activities.
TERA welcomes both individual founders and co-founder teams who
demonstrate a clear problem-solving approach and measurable social or
economic impact. Women will have an added advantage.

Background

  1. Location: Based in South Africa/ Southern Africa
  2. Stage: is in the very early stages or has prototype/MVP
  3. Sector: Working within or strongly interested in one of TERAs six
    target sectors. (Food Security & Agri-Climate Solutions, Climate
    Adaptation Technologies & Services, Blue Economy (Water, Fisheries
    & Aquaculture), Eco-Tourism, Renewable Energy, and
    Manufacturing & Processing
  4. Education: NSC, TVET, College and University graduates
  5. Experience: No prior business experience required

Motivation

  1. Passionate about solving real problems facing South Africa and the
    Southern Africa region
  2. Driven by both impact and enterprise -creating businesses that are
    profitable and purposeful
  3. Motivated by climate resilience, food security and sustainable
    economic development
  4. Ready to commit fully to a structured incubation journey with
    mentors and peers

 

Benefits for Entrepreneurs at TERA

  • Personalized Mentoring: Receive one-on-one guidance from experts in entrepreneurship and social impact to address specific challenges.
  • Practical Training: A methodology designed to validate, structure, and grow your business with a focus on rapid diagnostics.
  • Networking: Access to a network of allies, mentors, and other entrepreneurs to create synergies and a community.
  • Ongoing Support: Close support throughout the incubation process to identify and address critical moments.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strategic connections with seed capital and financing options for your expansion.
  • Leadership and Decision-Making: Strengthening your management skills and abilities for strategic decision-making.
  • Local Visibility: Positioning your venture within the regional ecosystem to attract new opportunities.
  • Intelligent flexibility: A design that allows you to adapt your learning to the daily operations of your business.
  • Recognition and incentives: We reward your commitment and concrete progress in implementing what you’ve learned.
  • Technical support: Hands-on assistance in using the Bridge platform to ensure you get the most out of it.

Sign up

Deadline: 2026-06-24

Days
Hours
This program is no longer accepting applications.
Organizer
Emerge Livelihoods
Town / Region
Southern Africa
Sectors accepted for this program

Join as a mentor and help entrepreneurs in Africa achieve success!

We are looking for mentors who are committed to joining our incubation program. If you have a passion for entrepreneurship, have at least 5 years of professional experience and are committed to reviewing and monitoring your entrepreneur’s work before mentoring meetings, we want you to join us! We envision a fair, efficient and meritocratic society where innovation belongs to everyone. Sign up today and help Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs succeed!

What requirements must you have to mentor?

  • Motivated to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
  • A professional with at least 3 years of experience, from any field.
  • Willing to do an 1 hr Mentor Training call.
  • Able to commit on average 2h of work every week on the platform (based on reviewing and validating all the steps and the weekly meeting) over the duration of the program.
  • Interested in being part of an international community of mentors.
  • Commitment to actively participate in the program from 4 to 6 months approximately.

 

Mentor Benefits

  • Generate real impact
    Support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
  • Clear methodology and training
    Mentor with a guided, easy-to-follow, and results-oriented structure.
  • Expand your network
    Connect with other mentors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Develop new skills
    Strengthen your leadership, active listening, and strategic thinking.
  • Flexibility
    Deliver value with sessions tailored to your availability.
  • Continuous learning
    Exchange knowledge and stay connected to new ideas and business models.
  • Recognition
    Receive certification and become part of an international community.

Program Timeline

Pre-Program Phases

  • 8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Scouting Phase (Ms&Es)
  • 8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Application Phase (Ms&Es)
  • 8 Aug – 10 Sep 2025 → Shortlisting

Onboarding & Matching

  • 10 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Entrepreneurs (Zoom, 1h 30m)
  • 11 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Mentors (Zoom, 1h 30m)
  • 11 Sep – 30 Sep 2025 → Matching Phase (B4B Incubation Platform, Ms&Es)
  • 1 Oct – 8 Oct 2025 → Matching Phase Analysis (Platform)
  • 8 Oct 2025 → Kick Off Call (Zoom, Entrepreneurs + Mentors)

Core Modules

  • 8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
  • 29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
  • 12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
  • 26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
  • 10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
  • 22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
  • 7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
  • 28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
  • 11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Closing Phase

  • 8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
  • 29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
  • 12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
  • 26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
  • 10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
  • 22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
  • 7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
  • 28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
  • 11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Program Timeline

Apply to participate in the program
Until September 15, 2025
Tell us more about yourself and your project by submitting your application. Our team will evaluate all applications from entrepreneurs and mentors who apply to the program.
Confirmation of selected profiles
Until 17 October 2025
We will review the completed applications through a selection process and select the participants for this edition of the programme.
Participate in the welcome session
18 and 19 January 2024
You will be invited to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation programme. In this session we will cover the programme schedule, your role, the role of mentors, the use of incubation tools to help you work on your business and much more.
Matching
Training of work pairs for entrepreneurs/mentors - 19 January - 31 January
Take part in our matching process! You will have the possibility to meet with the volunteer mentors from our Community that you think will be the best match for you and your project. Once you have met several mentors, both you and they will send us their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and we will make the best teams.
Start the incubation program
February - June 2024

Start the hybrid incubation experience with mentoring sessions, working tools and structured development. You will have 5 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop your validated business plan.

  • You will work weekly with your personal mentor in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
    You will have the incubation team on hand at all times to answer any questions you may have.
  • You will finish the programme developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to potential investors.
Completion of incubation program
June 2024

Do you have any questions about the program?

Contact Walusungu Chibwe, Incubation Manager of the program to answer all your questions.

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