The Platform
The validation journey
A transparent, independent process that turns promising grassroots solutions into trusted opportunities for learning, partnership, and funding.
How it works
The Validation Journey
From submission to publication — a transparent, expert-driven process that ensures only genuine innovations earn The Circle's seal of validation.
Submission
Innovators submit their grassroots solution through our guided form, with supporting evidence, media, and impact details.
~30 minutes
Screening
Our team reviews the submission for completeness before moving eligible innovations into the validator queue.
1-2 days
Expert Validation
Independent validators score the innovation across four dimensions — Impact, Scalability, Authenticity, and Ownership.
3-5 days
Decision & Feedback
Validators approve, request changes, or decline. Innovators can revise and resubmit if changes are requested.
1-2 days
Publication
Approved innovations are published to the registry with a "Verified by The Circle" badge, visible to funders and partners.
Immediate
Validation tiers
The level of proof grows with the innovation
Our tiers make it easy for funders and partners to understand what has been checked, what evidence exists, and what the next opportunity is.
Tier 1
Documented
The innovation, community context, ownership, and supporting evidence have been submitted and checked for completeness.
Tier 2
Validated
Independent experts have assessed impact, scalability, authenticity, and ownership against the platform threshold.
Tier 3
Ready to connect
A validated innovation is published with a proof of record and made discoverable to aligned funders and partners.
What we assess
Four dimensions keep the process rigorous
Validators look beyond a compelling story. They assess whether the evidence is real, community-led, and capable of informing future action.
Impact
Is there real, evidenced change in the community?
Scalability
Could the solution grow beyond its current context?
Authenticity
Is the innovation genuinely community-led?
Ownership
Does the community retain control and benefit long-term?
Become a Validator
Are you a sector expert, academic, or practitioner with experience in African innovation ecosystems? Join our validator network and help identify what truly works.