Raise smarter.
Close faster.
Build for Africa.
The InvestoVilla Pipeline Development Program for Entrepreneurs (IPDPE) is a hands-on accelerator program that helps African founders successfully raise capital. We guide you step-by-step from building a strong pitch to closing your funding round using real-world experience rather than just theory.
Founders building the African market.
Pre-seed → Series A · $20k–$1M rounds
This program is right for you if you can say “yes” to all of these
Africa's early-stage founders face a hidden tax on perceived risk.
We close that gap with structure, guidance and real market experience — so the right ventures stop getting priced out of the rooms where capital is decided.
0% equity takenReal market experience, not just theory.
Why This Program Exists
Raising capital in Africa is not getting easier. Investors are writing fewer cheques. Competition for capital is increasing. Due diligence is becoming more rigorous, and founders are expected to demonstrate stronger fundamentals much earlier than before.
Yet many promising ventures are still approaching fundraising without the preparation needed to compete effectively. The challenge is not always the quality of the idea — more often, it is a readiness problem.
Our answer: a practical, action-learning accelerator — built on real market experience — that walks beside you, step by step, until your round closes on the best possible terms.
Not another training program
IPDPE is a hands-on experience designed to help founders understand what investors look for, strengthen the fundamentals of their ventures, and develop a more disciplined approach to fundraising.
Participants receive structured support throughout their fundraising journey while enjoying access to an unrivalled proprietary investor-readiness diagnostic that generates both a founder-facing and investor-facing report.
Read the landscape
Understand the African venture-finance ecosystem and where your venture truly fits within it.
Build your strategy
Develop a funding and fundraising strategy tailored to your stage, sector and geography.
Step-by-step guidance
Navigate your raise with practical, hands-on support at every checkpoint of the journey.
Close the best deal
Aim to raise faster — and on the strongest terms with your investors.
Made for founders building the African market.
You qualify if your venture checks these boxes — wherever in the world you sit today.
Wherever you sit today, you're building the African market.
Building for Africa
An African building for Africa, an African in the diaspora building for the African market, or a non-African building for an African market.
Rooted on the continent
Your venture has — or plans to have — its headquarters in Africa.
Incorporated in Africa
Incorporated or planning to incorporate in Africa. Ventures incorporated abroad but legally registered in Africa are welcome.
Raising $20k – $1M
Raising equity or debt between $20k and $1M, from pre-seed to Series A. Bootstrapped ventures raising beyond Series A are welcome to apply.
Two phases, one outcome: raise faster.
A diagnostic clinic to reposition your venture and sharpen your story, then a 12-week accelerator to run the raise – by doing, not just theorizing.
Venture Backability Clinic
“You can't tell a good story if you don't have a story.”
Deliverables
- Approved Lean Canvas
- Venture Backability Report
- Submission to 2 actively deploying funds (qualified ventures)
- Funding Strategy Memo
Runs as an intensive (2-week) or regular (4-week) class. Founders ready to raise immediately can submit requests to two real funds; successful applicants may flow straight into the accelerator.
The Fundraising Accelerator
Learning by doing — action-learning, not just theory.
Deliverables
- Capital Raise Strategy and Fundraising Plan
- Fundraising Data Room
- Investor Target List
- Investor Outreach Campaign
- Fundraising CRM
- Investor Engagement Support
Top performers gain access to curated investors, syndicate programs and allied funds. A shorter track may be offered at discretion, but we encourage the full 12 weeks for better synthesis into an actual raise.
Timeline
18 weeks, end to end.
Tentative dates — adjusted to cohort needs at the training lead's discretion.
Cohort begins
Venture Backability Clinic opens for accepted founders.
Venture Backability Clinic (W 1–4)
Sharpen the model. Submit first funding requests.
Break
Synthesis. Investor feedback. Prep for the accelerator.
Fundraising accelerator (W 7–12)
12 weeks of live raising under expert guidance.
Cohort closes
Capstone, mentor reviews, investor introductions.
Dr. Ugwumsinachi Okorie
Venture builder, investor-readiness advisor, and Managing Partner at AM-Steve House.
Over the past 18 years, Dr. Okorie has worked across entrepreneurship, venture development, finance, technology, education, agriculture, and sustainability, supporting founders, enterprises, and ecosystem initiatives across Africa and internationally.
At AM-Steve House, he leads several flagship initiatives including the AM-Steve House Sustainability Program in Agriculture and Renewable Energy, the Women in Digital Business Program implemented in partnership with the ITCILO, and the group's One Venture Fund initiative. He also developed the Twin Venture Model, a framework designed to improve innovation distribution and venture accessibility for underserved markets in Africa.
Beyond AM-Steve House, Dr. Okorie has held venture-building and capital market leadership roles, including serving as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Seedstars and Director of Origination, Global Capital Markets at East Century Capital, Hong Kong. He has also served as a judge, reviewer, mentor, or advisor for some of the world's leading entrepreneurship initiatives including MIT Solve, Africa's Business Heroes, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
His focus is simple: helping founders build ventures that are genuinely investable, engage investors more effectively, and raise capital with greater clarity, confidence, and strategic intent.
The program is entirely free.
Accepted founders however required to make Founder Commitment Contribution – a quality filter to keep the cohort committed and also cover the subsidized cost of the InvestoVilla Venture Backability Assessment™ (IVBA). Below are the details of the applicable Founder Commitment Contribution fee
The 12-week Fundraising Accelerator
Always 100% free — we never take equity.
You only pay for the Venture Backability Assessment
Introductory deadline · August 30, 2026 · Final deadline · August 30, 2026. Early applicants can request a need-based reduction — offered first-come, first-served, and closing automatically once half the seats are filled.
$419 for two co-founders
- 2 or 4-week Venture Backability Clinic
- Pre-approved lean canvas
- Funding request to ≥2 active funds
- Free entry to the 12-week accelerator
$167 for two co-founders
Up to 60% off- Everything in Standard pilot
- Reserved for early applicants
- Granted by need, first-come first-served
- Closes once 50% of seats fill
Clinic optional
- Skip the Venture Backability Clinic entirely
- Straight to accelerator consideration
- Validated by your prior priced round
- Focus on performance, not re-validation
Refunds: the need-based fee reduction category is non-refundable. The standard subsidized clinic fee is eligible for a 100% refund up to four (4) weeks before program start, and a 60% refund up to two (2) weeks before program start. No refunds are available after the clinic begins.
Not sure if IPDPE is the right fit for your venture?
Join one of our free 30–45-minute Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions to learn more about the program, understand how investors evaluate startups, and ask any questions before applying.
Need a Private Discussion?
If your questions are better suited to a private discussion, you may request a 15-minute one-on-one consultation when registering for the AMA. We'll follow up by email with a scheduling link so you can book a convenient time.
Scan to Register
Use your mobile phone camera to scan the QR code and register directly for the upcoming AMA.
Five steps to your strongest raise yet.
The application is simple and honest. Be detailed — once accepted, you'll create a profile and pay for the Venture Backability Clinic within 7 days.
Submit a pitch deck, business plan or any relevant material. Videos optional · request need-based reduction if applicable.
Review FAQs & Brochure
Read the program brochure and FAQs to ensure you understand the program before applying.
Submit your application
Complete the form at pipeline.amstevehouse.com with a pitch deck, business plan or supporting material.
Get reviewed
We assess your submission for fit and venture-backability. Acceptance is rolling.
Create a profile & pay
If approved, set up your profile and settle the subsidized clinic fee within 7 days.
Start the journey
Move through the clinic and into the 12-week accelerator — and toward a closed round.
FAQs
Frequently asked.
Still unsure? The application is short — answering it often clarifies things.
Program & Eligibility
The Venture Readiness Clinic lasts between 2 and 4 weeks depending on the selected track. The Fundraising Accelerator lasts approximately 12 weeks. Including the transition period between both stages, participants should expect a total experience of approximately 18 weeks.
The current proposed schedule runs from August 31, 2026 through January 4, 2027. Dates may be adjusted based on operational considerations and participant needs.
No. The program is suitable for founders planning a future raise as well as those actively fundraising.
Absolutely. Previously funded startups who already received at least $20k in equity funding from venture capital can be exempted from the Venture Readiness Clinic.
The InvestoVilla Venture Backability Assessment™ (IVBA) is an independent, expert-led assessment designed to help founders understand how investor-ready their ventures are and identify the areas that matter most for improvement. The findings are compiled into your sharable InvestoVilla Venture Backability Report™ (IVBR). Unlike a static report, the IVBR is designed to evolve. As founders address identified gaps and make progress throughout their fundraising journey, they may request an update in their assessment to reflect improvements in their venture's readiness. Over time, founders may also request and incorporate relevant signals (feedback) from investor engagements, creating a better shared investor intelligence and a richer picture of how the market perceives the opportunity.
The end of the InvestoVilla Pipeline Development Program is intended to mark the beginning of a longer-term relationship with the InvestoVilla ecosystem rather than the end of the journey. Participants who successfully complete the program may be invited to join the broader InvestoVilla founder community. In addition, top-performing participants may be considered for participation in other InvestoVilla initiatives and allied programs, including the InvestoVilla Funds Platform Program and the InvestoVilla Syndicate Program, where applicable. Participation in the program does not guarantee investment, investor introductions, admission into any other InvestoVilla initiative, or access to specific funding opportunities.
Fees & Financial Support
The Fundraising Accelerator is delivered at no cost. Founders participating in the Venture Readiness Clinic before entering the accelerator are required to pay a Founder Commitment Contribution fee of $299.
The fee covers the Venture Readiness Assessment fee which is a signature and independent offering by InvestoVilla and typically priced at $499. For this program, the standard subsidized pilot fee is $299.
Yes. Founders who apply and onboard well ahead of August 30, 2026 may request need-based fee reduction support. Approved applicants may participate for as little as $119. This is only available on a first-come, first-served basis until all the available slots are filled.
The Fundraising Accelerator is delivered entirely free of charge because we believe founders should not have to give up equity or pay significant fees simply to access fundraising support. The Venture Readiness Clinic is also free but different—it includes structured diagnostics, venture reviews, consulting support, personalized feedback, and the InvestoVilla Venture Backability Assessment™ (IVBA). The IVBA is paid for in the form of the Founder Commitment Contribution fee. The commitment fee serves two purposes: first, it helps cover part of the cost of delivering the assessment; second, it acts as a commitment filter. Fundraising is demanding, and experience has shown that founders who invest time, energy, and resources into preparation are more likely to engage fully with the process. This helps us maintain a high-quality founder community and a stronger pipeline for investors. Previously venture-backed startups may be eligible for exemption from parts or all of the Venture Readiness Clinic where prior funding history already provides sufficient validation of venture readiness.
No. Support is limited and awarded on a rolling basis. Availability may close before August 30 once allocated slots are filled. Applicants wishing to apply for a fee reduction are advised to apply well ahead of the introductory deadline of August 30, 2026.
Fundraising & Investment
We have intentionally focused the program on founders raising between US$20,000 and US$1 million because this is the range where most of our allied investors, funding partners, syndicates, and capital providers are actively deploying capital. By concentrating on this segment, we are able to provide more relevant fundraising support, stronger investor alignment, and better potential pathways to capital for participants who successfully progress through the program. That said, fundraising needs vary. Founders raising outside this range are still welcome to apply.
No. No credible organization can guarantee fundraising outcomes. Our role is to help founders improve readiness, strengthen strategy, avoid mistakes, and engage investors more effectively. Actual fundraising outcomes depend on many factors, including venture quality, execution, market conditions, and founder commitment.
No. This program is designed to prepare founders for investment. However, strong-performing startups may receive introductions to investors, syndicates, partner funds, or future InvestoVilla initiatives.
Congratulations. We will continue supporting you through investor discussions, due diligence processes, negotiation preparation, and post-investment planning where appropriate.
No. Participants are expected to meet minimum performance, engagement, and readiness standards before progressing to the Accelerator. This helps maintain the quality of the founder pipeline and ensures a valuable experience for all participants. That said, progression is not designed to be a barrier. Founders who actively participate, complete required assignments, demonstrate coachability, and show meaningful progress throughout the Clinic are highly likely to advance. We are less concerned with where you start and more interested in how far you are willing to go.
No. InvestoVilla does not take equity as a condition of participating in the InvestoVilla Pipeline Development Program for Entrepreneurs (IPDPE). Any funding you raise during or after the program remains subject solely to the terms agreed between you and your investors. Participation in IPDPE does not grant InvestoVilla any ownership interest in your company, nor does it create any obligation for you to participate in any other InvestoVilla program.
Participation & Policies
Yes. You retain full ownership of your intellectual property, business ideas, products, technologies, trademarks, data, pitch materials, and other proprietary information shared as part of your participation in the program. Participation in IPDPE does not transfer any ownership rights to InvestoVilla, AM-Steve House, mentors, investors, or other participants.
Only with your consent. A core objective of IPDPE is to help founders become more investor-ready and, where appropriate, facilitate introductions to relevant investors and funding opportunities. However, participation in the program does not entitle participants to investor introductions, deal referrals, or inclusion in any InvestoVilla syndicate, Funds Platform, or allied investment opportunity. Such opportunities may be offered at InvestoVilla's discretion to eligible participants based on readiness, fit, performance, and other relevant considerations. InvestoVilla will not intentionally share confidential business information with third parties without your permission, except where required by law or as otherwise agreed by you.
Contact the program team. In some situations, alternative arrangements may be possible but cannot be guaranteed.
Accepted participants should expect up to two one-on-one consulting or advisory sessions per month during the Accelerator phase, in addition to group coaching, peer learning, reviews, and other program activities.
We do not micromanage founders. However, participation standards apply and non-performing participants may be removed from the program.
Due to the limited and subsidized nature of the need-based support category, participants admitted under the need-based fee reduction category are not eligible for refunds. Participants paying the standard subsidized clinic fee may request: 100% refund up to four (4) weeks before program start, 60% refund up to two (2) weeks before program start. No refunds are available after the clinic begins.
Your round deserves a real strategy.
Join the pilot cohort of the Pipeline Development Program and raise with structure, guidance and real market experience behind you.