CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 6th Incubation Cycle – Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub & Seed Financing Facility
Please review the information below and scroll down to explore the list of ESOs before submitting your application.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
6th Incubation Cycle – Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub & Seed Financing Facility
For Innovative, High-Growth and High-Impact MSMEs and Startups
PROGRAM: | APPLICATION DEADLINE: | APPLICATION RULE: |
Are you an innovative entrepreneur ready to scale your business, create jobs and deliver lasting impact? If you are an operational, high growth, high impact startup or MSME with strong potential for scale, the 6th Cohort LEHSFF Incubation Cycle is an opportunity for you to take your enterprise to the next level. The future of business in Lesotho is YOU!
About the Program
The Government of Lesotho has received a loan from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to implement the Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) Project. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to “increase access to business support services and financial products targeted at MSMEs and entrepreneurs, especially women and youth”.
Under the CAFI Project, The Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing Facility (LEHSFF) invites eligible innovative MSMEs and startups to apply for the 6th Incubation Cycle, running from January 2027 to July 2027.
This program, a key component of the CAFI Project, is designed to empower high-growth, high-impact enterprises, particularly in Agriculture, Tourism and Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing and Green energy, Creative industries and Technology & Innovation, in alignment with the Second National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II).
Why Apply?
These six months incubation program will benefit selected enterprises as they will receive:
- Needs assessment to tailored mentorship, coaching, and industry expertise
- Product or service refinement to strengthen market readiness
- Business model refinement and targeted technical assistance
- Networking opportunities with investors and market stakeholders
- Digitization support to improve business efficiency
- Training on financial management, marketing, human resources, and operations
- Facilitated access to finance and investment opportunities through linkages with investors and other financing sources
- Support to develop a scalable two-year business plan
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
✔ Enterprises with high growth potential and an innovative business idea
✔ Operational businesses with market-ready or near market products/services
✔ Full-time entrepreneurs committed to the full six-month incubation program
✔ Businesses demonstrating potential for scalability, market growth and job creation
✔ Enterprises addressing developmental challenges through technology, science, or innovation
✔ Businesses with adequate capacity or potential to build a sustainable business structure
✔ Enterprises willing and ready to comply with applicable environmental and social safeguards
How to Apply
APPLICATION PLATFORM | Visit www.lehsff.org.ls and www.cafi.org.ls to complete the application and select your preferred Enterprise Support Organization (ESO). |
APPLICATION DEADLINE | 30 October 2026 |
IMPORTANT | Each enterprise should apply to only ONE ESO |
Women- and youth-led enterprises are strongly encouraged to apply.
LEHSFF | Supporting innovative enterprises to grow, create jobs and contribute to Lesotho’s economic transformation
Need More Info? Join our virtual information sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 to 30 October 2026 (details on the LEHSFF and CAFI website). Call the Hub at 22315800 or email entrephub@cafi.org.ls
TEAMS https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/356422045634483?p=wvHev9lfnlLm8qsyi3
(Information Session Link)
Meeting ID: 356 422 045 634 483
Passcode: Vv3P7Kg3
ESO Information Session Time Slots:
National University of Lesotho (NUL) Innovation Hub – 09:00am – 09:30am
Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise (rise) – 09:30am – 10:00am
SMME Support Network – 10:00am – 10:30am
Rieds Consulting – 10:30am – 11:00am
IGGLE Consulting & Coaching – 11:00am – 11:30am
Lerotholi Polytechnic – 11:30am – 12:00pm
Johane Industrials – 12:00pm – 12:30pm
Snake Nation and Khaya Holdings – 12:30pm – 13:00pm
Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) – 14:00pm – 14:30pm
The Entrepreneurs Network Lesotho (TEN) – 14:30pm – 15:00pm
Meet Your Incubators!
The incubation will be delivered by 10 Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs):
NUL Innovation Hub
Apply to NUL Innovation Hub if:
You are an enterprise across the livestock value chain, including:
- Animal production
- Animal products and value addition
- Mini slaughtering facilities and meat processing
- Cold storage and cold-chain services
- Animal feed production
- Conversion and value addition of animal waste into organic fertilizers and other agricultural products
For inquiries, please contact: nulinnovations@gmail.com or call +266 2234 0601 / +266 5221 3000
Rise
Apply to Rise if:
You are hungry to learn entrepreneurs in the following sectors:
- Built Environment (architecture, construction and design)
- Sustainable Energy
- Circular Economy Solutions
For inquiries, please contact: projects@riseint.org or call +266 5092 4084 / +266 5848 8060
https://web.facebook.com/riseint
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rise-int/
IGGLE Incubation
Apply to IGGLE Incubation if:
- Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises working in leather production, processing, manufacturing, design, repair, retail, or related services.
- Start-ups with a viable leather-sector product or service and clear potential for growth.
- Registered enterprises, cooperatives, and producer groups that can demonstrate active operations.
- Businesses committed to responsible production, job creation, innovation, and participation in the full incubation programme.
For inquiries, please contact: ask@iggleconsulting.com or call +266 5716 6770 or +266 6220 7874.
https//www.iggleconsulting.com
Facebook page: IGGLE Consulting and Coaching
RIEDS Consulting
Apply to RIEDS Consulting if:
- Growth-oriented and innovative manufacturing enterprises in the garments and textiles subsector.
For inquiries, please contact: riedsconsulting@outlook.com or call +266 5970 9115, +266 5621 7599, +266 6329 1988). You can also visit www.riedsconsulting.com
SMME Support Network Lesotho
Apply to SMME Support Network Lesotho if:
Engaged in agro-processing or value addition, with an existing product, demonstrated market potential and commitment to participate in the full six months of incubation programme. We are looking for growth-oriented enterprises involved in:
- Food and beverage processing
- Grain, cereal and milling products
- Fruit and vegetable processing
- Dairy, meat and poultry processing
- Honey, herbs, spices and natural products
- Animal feed and other agriculture-based value-added products
For inquiries, please contact: nokofrancis@gmail.com / smmenet@leo.co.ls or call +266 6261 0064
The Entrepreneurs Network Lesotho (TEN)
- Apply to The Entrepreneurs Network Lesotho (TEN) if:
Your enterprise is focused on Agro-Processing: Enterprises that add value to agricultural produce and turn it into marketable products. Building on our experience with youth-owned and women-owned MSMEs in agriculture and manufacturing, we offer agro-processors a focused incubation pathway.
For inquiries, please contact, admin@ten.co.ls / rethabile@ten.co.ls or call +266 6209 3524 / +266 5845 7250
BEDCO
Apply to BEDCO if you are an enterprise in Green Economy:
Subsectors:
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Sustainability
- Green Agro processing
- Indigenous Herbs and Essential Oils
For inquiries, please contact: business@bedco.org.ls or call +266 22216100
Instagram: bedco_ls
facebook: Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation – BEDCO
X: @bedco_ls
LinkedIn: Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation
SNKH
Apply to SNKH if you are particularly interested in creative businesses operating in:
- Film and video production
- Television production
- Podcasting and audio production
- Digital media and content creation
- Photography and animation
- Video editing and post-production
- Creative agencies and production services
- Cultural, educational and youth-focused storytelling
For inquiries, please contact: info@snakenation.co or call +266 5664 9013 /
+27 840 012 14
Johanne Industrials
Apply to Johanne Industrials if you are in:
- Textile, Garment and Apparel Manufacturing
- Manufacturing and Value Addition
- Industrial and Workwear Supply
- Fashion and Creative Industries
- Supporting and Ancillary Businesses
For inquiries, please contact: Johanegarments10@gmail.com or call +266 5898 6541/ +266 5633 6262
Lerotholi Polytechnic
Apply to Lerotholi Polytechnic if:
- You operate within the manufacturing sector (industrial including engineering, construction, steel works and fabrications).
- You have a promising business idea with potential for growth and scalability
For inquiries, please contact: mofolo6606@gmail.com Or call +266 6831 5685 / +266 5878 7283
https://www.facebook.com/fokothi/about
Instagram: lerotholi_polytechnic
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level! #Innovate #Grow #Lead
Need More Info? Join our virtual information sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 to 30 October 2026 (details on the CAFI website). Call the Hub at 22315800 or email entrephub@cafi.org.ls