Sunbirds Investment Readiness Program · E.S.I.R.P. 2026
Sunbirds: your questions, answered
Everything a founder needs to know before applying: what the program is, whether it fits your startup and how to apply. Open to ICT and Fintech startups in Rwanda | 50 places.
- months of blended service and coaching
- 3months of blended service and coaching
- champion startups selected
- 50champion startups selected
- sectors: ICT and Fintech
- 2sectors: ICT and Fintech
- Applications close
- Friday 27 November 2026
01 /Quick answers
Find your answer fast
Pick the question on your mind and jump straight to the answer.
- 01What is Sunbirds?See the answer
- 02Is it right for me?See the answer
- 03Is my startup eligible?See the answer
- 04What do I get?See the answer
- 05What do the three months look like?See the answer
- 06How do I apply?See the answer
- 07What does it cost, and how much time?See the answer
- 08What happens after I apply?See the answer
02 /What is Sunbirds?
A three-month program that gets startups ready to raise
The Ecosystem Startup Investment Readiness Program (E.S.I.R.P.) is a three-month program that gets ICT and Fintech startups ready to raise investment.
You work hands-on with RG Partners' experts through the program. The program was co-designed by RG Partners, the Rwanda ICT Chamber and development partners.
Who is behind Sunbirds
RG Partners
Delivers the program with its team of experts: financial readiness, tax and regulatory compliance, fractional CFO services, governance and investor relations. Has run Sunbirds since 2022.
Rwanda ICT Chamber
Co-leads the 2026 applications campaign and connects the program to Rwanda's ICT and Fintech founders, hubs and universities.
03 /Why Sunbirds exists
Most startups are not investor-ready
- 78%of African startups are not investor-ready
- <20%of Rwandan startups have investor-grade financial documentation
- 65%of funded African startups fail to secure Series A
The four gaps Sunbirds closes
- Weak financial infrastructure
- Compliance gaps
- No CFO-level guidance
- Weak governance
04 /Is it right for me?
Is Sunbirds right for you?
It is, if most of these describe you.
You run a registered business
Your organisation is registered with RDB.
You build digital products
ICT and Fintech startups, and digital-enabled businesses.
You have early traction
At least 6 months of operation, with some revenue or active users.
You plan to raise investment
You intend to raise early-stage capital within 2 years.
You want hands-on coaching
You are open to working on your finances, compliance and governance.
Your business creates impact
It supports the SDGs or Rwanda's Vision 2050.
05 /Is my startup eligible?
Is your startup eligible?
Answer six questions. If the answer is no, here is what to do.
Is your organisation registered with RDB?
If your answer is no
Complete registration before the closing date.
Do you keep financial records, even basic ones?
If your answer is no
Start a simple record of income and expenses now.
Is your business ICT or digital-enabled?
If your answer is no
Sunbirds focuses on ICT and Fintech.
Have you operated for 6+ months with revenue or active users?
If your answer is no
This cohort is for startups with early traction.
Do you plan to raise investment within 2 years?
If your answer is no
Sunbirds is built for startups heading to investors.
Does your business support the SDGs or Vision 2050?
If your answer is no
Be ready to explain your impact.
Not sure about a borderline case? The common eligibility questions below cover messy records, sector fit, no revenue and fundraising timing.
06 /What do I get?
Six areas of hands-on support
Financial readiness
Clean, reliable books and reporting you can show investors.
Tax and regulatory compliance
RRA, VAT, withholding and payroll put in order.
Fractional CFO services
CFO-level guidance without a full-time hire.
Investor-grade modelling
Financial model, cap table and valuation.
Governance and legal
The structures investors expect to see.
Investor relations
Pitch deck, data room and warm introductions.
How Sunbirds is different
- Delivery
- Typical:Theory-heavy workshops
- Sunbirds:Done-with-you implementation
- Length
- Typical:6 to 12 week sprints
- Sunbirds:3 months of continuous engagement
- Compliance
- Typical:Left for you to sort out
- Sunbirds:Gaps resolved with you
- Investor introductions
- Typical:Often made early
- Sunbirds:Warm introductions only once you are investor-ready
07 /The three months
Your three months, week by week
- Weeks 1-2
Assessment and diagnosis
Baseline investor-readiness score, orientation workshop and your advisors assigned.
- Weeks 3-8
Build and implement
Fix finances, compliance and governance side by side with your advisors.
- Weeks 9-11
Investor readiness and validation
Pitch deck, data room and financial model tested and validated.
- Week 12
Capital access and launch
Demo Day, VC and angel matchmaking, term sheet support, DFI introductions and graduation.
After graduation you keep follow-on advisory support.
After the three months: meeting investors, prepared
- 01Demo Day
- 02VC and angel matchmaking
- 03Term sheet support
- 04DFI introductions
- 05Graduation and follow-on advisory
Only investment-ready startups advance to investor introductions. That protects your reputation and gives investors a reason to say yes.
08 /What we ask of you
What we ask of you
- 01
Be open
Share your real numbers and challenges.
- 02
Share your records
Basic financial records are enough to start.
- 03
Be coachable
Act on advice from your advisors.
- 04
Do the work
Implementation is done with you, not for you.
- 05
Stay for three months
Continuous engagement through graduation.
Your weekly time commitment is agreed with your advisors at onboarding. Ask us at an information session.
09 /How do I apply?
How to apply: four stages
- Stage 1
Apply online
Complete the online application form.
- Stage 2
Paper screening
We check eligibility and give your first investor-readiness score.
- Stage 3
Founder interview
Shortlisted founders are interviewed.
- Stage 4
Selection
The final cohort of 50 is selected and agreements are signed.
Once selected
- Baseline investor-readiness score
- Onboarding and orientation workshop
- Advisors assigned
- Your three months begin
Key dates
Now
Applications open
Thu 22 Oct
Information session 1
Thu 12 Nov
Information session 2
Thu 19 Nov
Information session 3
Fri 27 Nov
Closing date
After the closing date: paper screening, founder interviews and final selection. Information session times and links are shared on RG Partners and Rwanda ICT Chamber channels.
10 /Prepare your application
How your application is scored
Applications are scored on five criteria. The weights are 25, 20, 20, 20 and 15 percent.
Share of your score carried by each of the five criteria.
What this means for you
- Show how your business makes money. It carries the most weight.
- Share real traction: revenue or active users.
- Show that you are open to coaching.
- Tell us your plan to raise investment.
Have these ready before you apply
- RDB registration certificate
- Basic records of income and expenses
- Evidence of traction: revenue or user numbers
- A short description of your product and customers
- Details of your founders and team
- Your plan to raise investment: how much, when, why
- How your business supports the SDGs or Vision 2050
- Contact details for your founder interview
A suggested list to help you prepare. Check the application form for the exact requirements.
11 /Results so far
Results so far: 17 startups supported since 2022
- 17startups supported
- 12achieved tax compliance
- 8secured investment
- USD 1.84Mraised after the program
Funds raised came from angel networks, grants, invoice discounting and venture capital.
“RG Partners didn't just help us get our books in order. They transformed how we think about financial strategy. When we sat down with investors, we had answers to every question.”
Rose Ingabire, co-founder, EasyPlug (Sunbirds 2024)
12 /Frequently asked questions
Cost, time, selection and next steps
The questions applicants ask most, answered in full.
Eligibility
My financial records are messy. Can I still apply?
Yes. Basic or disorganised records are fine. Putting them in order is part of the program.
Is my sector included?
Sunbirds focuses on ICT and Fintech. Digital-enabled businesses can apply. Sector focus is 20% of your score.
I have no revenue yet. Can I apply?
You need at least 6 months of operation and some revenue or active user traction. Active users count.
Do I need to be raising money right now?
No. You need an active intention to raise early-stage investment within the next 2 years.
Cost, time and funding
Does it cost anything?
There is no direct cost to selected startups.
Is Sunbirds a grant?
No. It prepares you to raise investment. Investor introductions come once you are investor-ready.
How long does it last?
Three months, with follow-on advisory support after graduation.
How much time will it take?
Your weekly time is agreed with your advisors at onboarding.
When do I meet investors?
In the final week: Demo Day, VC and angel matchmaking, term sheet support and DFI introductions. Only investment-ready startups advance to investor introductions.
Selection and next steps
How are startups chosen?
Applications are scored on five criteria, then shortlisted founders are interviewed.
When will I hear back?
After the closing date. Screening, interviews and selection follow.
What happens if I am selected?
Baseline score, orientation workshop and advisors assigned, then your three months start.
Who runs Sunbirds?
RG Partners delivers the program and has run it since 2022. The Rwanda ICT Chamber co-leads the 2026 applications campaign.
Where can I ask questions?
Join an information session or email business@rgpartners.rw.
Ready to apply?
Closing date: Friday 27 November 2026. Questions? Email business@rgpartners.rw or call +250 788 301 942.
RG Partners is a Rwanda-grounded financial advisory firm delivering audit, tax, investment, and consulting solutions across East Africa.
Our Services
Contact Info
- business@rgpartners.rw
- +250 788 301 942
- KG 05 Rd No 7, 1st Floor, Immeuble Aigle Blanc (Startimes building), Kigali - Rwanda
- Mon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM