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Western Cape Government supports the TerraFoundry Climate-Tech Accelerator in Partnership with FSATLabs



R3-Million Programme to Support 120 Climate-Tech Startups Over Three Years

Cape Town, South Africa – 02/04/2026


French South African Tech Labs (FSATLabs) today announced the launch of TerraFoundry, a pioneering climate-tech accelerator programme delivered with the support of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT). The programme will support 40 climate-tech startups annually over three years, providing comprehensive ecosystem enablement, technical support, and investment readiness training.


TerraFoundry is part of DEDAT's Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme, which aims to position the Western Cape as Africa's leading technology and innovation hub. The programme directly supports the province's Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy, targeting R59-billion in venture capital deals and a 120% increase in R&D expenditure by 2035.


Programme Overview


TerraFoundry will deliver intensive support to climate-tech startups across key verticals including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water technology, circular economy solutions, carbon management, and green manufacturing. The programme combines:


  • Weekly workshops and masterclasses covering technical development, regulatory compliance, go-to-market strategy, and climate finance

  • One-on-one mentoring from climate-tech experts, investors, and successful founders

  • Investment readiness coaching preparing startups for venture capital and impact investment

  • Technical support including UX/product design and architecture reviews

  • Demo Days and investor showcases connecting startups with local and international climate investors

  • Regulatory navigation support for climate-tech compliance and certification


Who Should Apply


FSATLabs invites applications from Western Cape-based climate-tech startups that:


  1. Are developing technology solutions addressing climate change mitigation or adaptation

  2. Have a working prototype or minimum viable product

  3. Are seeking to scale their operations and attract investment

  4. Demonstrate strong founding teams with technical and commercial expertise

  5. Are committed to building sustainable, high-growth businesses


Programme Benefits


Selected startups will receive:


  • Access to a comprehensive 6-month accelerator programme

  • Expert facilitation and mentoring valued at over R25,000 per startup

  • Technical and product development support

  • Pitch coaching and investor introductions

  • Networking opportunities with climate investors, corporates, and government stakeholders

  • Access to FSATLabs' climate-tech ecosystem and alumni network


Quotes


Tim Parle, Chief Director, Tech & Innovation, DEDAT:

We are pleased to support FSATLABS Terrafoundry programme. Through this collaboration, climate-tech startups will gain access to integrated technical, commercial and market-readiness support, while benefiting from stronger connections to investors, industry and global networks. DEDAT aims to build resilient, scalable pathways for innovation-led growth in the Western Cape, underpinned by the Growth for Jobs economic strategy.

Thomas Hart, Programme Manager, FSATLabs:

"Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation, and African entrepreneurs are developing innovative solutions with global potential. TerraFoundry will provide the ecosystem support, technical expertise, and investor access these startups need to transform promising technologies into scalable businesses. We're excited to partner with DEDAT to accelerate the Western Cape's climate-tech ecosystem."

Zandile Ntuli, Board Director, FSATLabs:


"The Western Cape has exceptional climate-tech talent and innovation capacity. What's been missing is systematic ecosystem support to help these ventures navigate the unique challenges of climate technology - from regulatory complexity to securing climate finance. TerraFoundry fills that gap, combining FSATLabs' venture-building expertise with DEDAT's commitment to economic growth and job creation."

Application Details


The first cohort of TerraFoundry will commence on 15th of May 2026. Applications are now open for Western Cape-based climate-tech startups.


Application Deadline: 3rd of May 2026


Programme Duration: 6 months intensive support per cohort



Information Session: FSATLabs will host an online information session on the 13th of April at 12:30 pm. RSVP to contact@fsatlabs.com 


For more information, visit www.fsatlabs.com or contact:


Thomas Hart

Programme Manager, FSATLabs

Phone: +27 76 688 6719

Media Enquiries:


About FSATLabs


French South African Tech Labs (FSATLabs) is a Cape Town-based technology accelerator and ecosystem builder specializing in climate-tech, fintech, and innovation-driven ventures. Founded as a partnership between French and South African innovation stakeholders, FSATLabs provides venture-building support, technical expertise, and investor access to high-growth technology startups across Africa. Through its accelerator programmes, FSATLabs has supported [NUMBER] startups, facilitated [AMOUNT] in capital raised, and created [NUMBER] jobs in the Western Cape technology sector.

For more information: www.fsatlabs.com About DEDAT's Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme


The Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme is a multi-year initiative by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism to strengthen the province's technology and innovation ecosystems. The programme supports established intermediary organisations that convene and enable technology sub-sectors, with the goal of driving economic growth, job creation, and positioning the Western Cape as a globally competitive tech hub.


The programme aligns with the Western Cape Government's Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy, which targets provincial GDP of R1-trillion by 2035, annual economic growth of 4-6%, R33-billion in R&D expenditure, and R59-billion in venture capital deals.


For more information: www.westerncape.gov.za/dedat 


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