Artisan Accelerators

Nest’s artisan business accelerators are application-based, intensive, and holistic programs that provide high-potential handcraft businesses and social enterprises from the Nest Guild with the support they need to become vital players in the international marketplace.

Nest Artisan Accelerator 7MILLION Workshop.

Applications Open:
The African Square

Nest’s Artisan Accelerator: The African Square equips social enterprises with artisan supply chains based in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and The Democratic Republic of The Congo with a suite of targeted resources to drive their business growth and social impact in the handcraft sector. Participants gain access to key learning resources including:

  • Suite of Learning + Development Content: Virtual + in-person capacity building addressing regional and business scaling challenges delivered by industry experts

  • Market Access Support: Tailored project support from industry experts and grant funding

  • Community: A curated cohort of 10 peer businesses for skill sharing and collaboration

  • Ethical Handcraft Compliance: Through digital or on the ground assessments

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Artisan businesses meeting the following criteria are invited to apply:

  • Member of the Nest Guild

  • Artisan supply chain located in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and/or Tanzania

  • An average 3-year revenue growth with the desire to scale

  • Commitment to actively engage in the program and fulfill program requirements (2-4 hours per week, March - August 2026)

Applications for the Artisan Accelerator: The African Square will be accepted Monday, November 17th 2025 through January 7th, 2026.

Apply Today

Photo Credit: 7 MILLION Workshop

Program Impact

78

artisan businesses representing over 38 countries have participated in the flagship Artisan Accelerator since the program’s inception in 2018

81%

of participating businesses across Nest’s accelerator programs are women-led and collectively employ 34,000+ artisans, 77% of whom are women

$30m+

in total revenue reported by 2022 Artisan Accelerator participants, which proves the financial sustainability and success of artisan businesses in the program

26%

increase in production reported by Artisan Accelerator participants, which is vital for maintaining product quality and meeting market demands

Nest Artisan Accelerator Tribal Textile Ladies.

Upskilling the Businesses of Tomorrow

In 2023, as effects of climate change were being felt acutely around the world, Nest welcomed a new class of handcraft enterprises with a focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability into the Artisan Accelerator. These inspiring, future-focused businesses will receive a suite of tailored programming designed by Nest and industry experts during the 18-month program period.

Photo Credit: Tribal Textiles

Artisan Lesli Robertson, Founder at Mekeka Designs headshot.

Lesli Robertson, Founder, Mekeka Designs

“Mekeka Designs began the Artisan Accelerator at just the right time. It is giving us an incredible opportunity to pause, rethink, and restructure, so that we are strategically moving forward with purpose and control over how we grow our studio. As we begin to move into the interior design world, we realize that as much as we need a plan and focus, we can’t stop being creative and innovative, while emphasizing the sustainable indigenous materials that makes our work unique.”