Breet Unveils $10,000 Equity-Free Grant for African Fintech Startups Ahead of ATE 2026
Breet, a cryptocurrency payment infrastructure platform, has announced the launch of a $10,000 equity-free grant programme targeted at African startups operating in fintech, crypto, stablecoins, and digital payments.
The initiative is coming ahead of the Africa Technology Expo 2026, scheduled to hold from June 26 to 27 at the National Theatre in Lagos.
The programme is designed to support growth-stage startups navigating increasingly tight funding conditions across the continent. In recent years, African tech founders have faced a shift in investor sentiment, with greater emphasis now placed on sustainable unit economics, regulatory compliance, strong governance structures, and solutions that address clear market needs.
This shift has created a funding gap for startups that have moved beyond the idea stage but are yet to attract large-scale institutional investment.
Breet said its grant programme seeks to bridge this gap by offering more than just funding. Selected startups will receive a combination of financial support, access to payment infrastructure, and exposure to key industry stakeholders.
Beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to investors, corporate executives, and policymakers during the expo, providing a platform for partnerships and potential scale.
According to the company’s Chief Operating Officer, the initiative reflects the evolving needs of founders.
“Founders today need more than funding. They need infrastructure that works, faster routes to market, and access to the right commercial networks. That is the thinking behind this grant,” the COO said.
A central component of the programme is access to Breet’s application programming interface (API), which enables businesses to integrate crypto and payment functionalities directly into their platforms. This is particularly relevant for startups focused on cross-border payments, remittances, treasury management, and merchant solutions, where infrastructure partnerships can accelerate growth.
Breet disclosed that it has processed over five million transactions and converted billions in fiat currencies, positioning itself as a key infrastructure provider for crypto-to-fiat payments across Africa. Its platform offers services including crypto wallets, automated conversions, and same-day bank settlements.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must be building in fintech, crypto, stablecoins, or payments, with a product already in the market and demonstrating clear commercial viability. Startups must also be ready to integrate Breet’s API and be available to pitch at the expo.
The Africa Technology Expo, now in its third edition, is expected to attract more than 7,000 participants from over 15 countries, including investors, senior executives, policymakers, and corporate leaders.
Organisers say the event will provide selected startups with visibility, networking opportunities, and a platform to drive long-term growth beyond the grant funding.
