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

Mandilakhe Somdle
Apr 2
3 min read

Updated: Apr 8

R6-Million Programme to Support 40 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:

Are developing technology solutions addressing climate change mitigation or adaptation
Have a working prototype or minimum viable product
Are seeking to scale their operations and attract investment
Demonstrate strong founding teams with technical and commercial expertise
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

Application Link: https://www.fsatlabs.com/terra-foundry-program

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

Email: thomas@fsatlabs.co.za

Phone: +27 76 688 6719

Media Enquiries:

mandilakhe@africarena.com

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 100 startups over 7 years, facilitated R6 million in capital raised, and created 85 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)