Yes. The program explicitly targets B2B SaaS companies and data or AI startups in addition to fintechs. The question is not what you call yourself today but whether your data and customer relationships create a credible path to embedded finance. If your company helps small businesses access capital, manage cash flow or move money, you are relevant.

It means the program does not offer generic startup workshops, pitch days or cohort socializing. The Renew Venture Lab: EmFi Series is a structured, investor-led selection process run by Renew Capital. Every session, module and feedback loop is designed around one outcome: identifying which companies are ready for $50K to $300K in investment.

No program fees. Participation is free. Investment from Renew Capital, if offered, will be on standard terms negotiated at that stage.

This is a selection process, not a guarantee. Renew Capital is actively looking to invest $50K to $300K in the strongest companies from the cohort. Not every participant will receive investment. The program uses a progressive funnel. Companies that show financial discipline, data readiness and a clear path to embedded finance or lending in African markets are the strongest candidates.

The program is run by Renew Capital’s investment team and a curated group of sector experts across embedded finance, alternative lending and African market operations. Sessions are not generic startup content delivered by mentors for hire. 

Yes. Diaspora founders are actively welcomed. What matters is that your company is building for African markets. Founder location is not the filter. Market focus is.

The program is designed to be accessible to founders wherever they are. Sessions are delivered via the Learnworld platform and live virtual sessions.

Part of the program involves building out your data room and demonstrating data discipline. This requires sharing financial and operational data with the Renew Capital team as part of the investment evaluation process. This is standard practice for any serious investment process.
As part of the process, an NDA will be signed and data protection issues are considered. 
As part of the process an NDA will be signed and data protection issues are considered.

Applications are reviewed and every applicant receives a response. If accepted, you receive an onboarding email and access to the program platform. If you applied to Renew Venture Lab previously, it is likely some things have changed. Please make sure to provide us with your latest deck and information through the application. 

Only you can answer that. Completing the work of the program will leave you with cleaner financials, a structured data room, a mapped embedded finance strategy and direct feedback from an active investor. If that has no value without investment, this is not the right program. If it does, your time is not wasted even if this check does not come from us immediately. Further, at Renew Capital, we like to say, we say no to deals not to companies. We hope the program is the start of a long-term relationship with you whether we invest or not.

No. If you are actively fundraising and your target markets align with African embedded finance or alternative lending, this program adds a direct Renew Capital investment relationship to your existing conversations. The focus on financial discipline and data room preparation will sharpen your materials regardless of which investor you are pitching.

The program partners include NORAD, Global Affairs Canada and Tamwilcom. These are institutional backers that lend credibility to the program and to companies that complete it.

Companies operating in at least one African market are invited to apply.