Bahari Innovation Challenge

The Bahari Innovation Challenge Tanzania is an initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through the ProsperBlue Programme and Sote Hub.

The project supports 40 early-stage innovators, startups, and community-based enterprises developing solutions in aquaculture, fisheries (ocean food systems), and sustainable/eco-tourism operating in coastal or island regions of Tanzania with Equity-free Grant funding of 145 million Tanzanian shillings to be won.

Project Objectives:

• To support 40 high-potential ventures in aquaculture and sustainable tourism with innovation support and capacity strengthening.
• To transition 20 ventures into post-program Sote Hub incubation, providing access to funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• To enable at least 70% of participating ventures to develop a working prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• To ensure inclusive participation by achieving a minimum of 50% women-led ventures and 40% youth-led ventures in the innovation challenge.
• To facilitate at least 10% of ventures in securing follow-on investment (equity or debt) within one year of programme completion.