Empowerment Afri

NIW.Startups is a platform for discovering and showcasing the new most promising startups in the region. It also seeks to attract the right investors to initiate funding conversations with startups. NIW.Startups is part of the annual Nairobi Innovation Week organized by stakeholders in the regional innovation ecosystem. In 2019, Nairobi Innovation Week will be held on 10th – 14th June. During that week 30 pitches will be staged and the 6 most promising of 2019 startups will be feted. WHAT’S IN IT FOR STARTUPS? DISCOVERABILITY Investors, Media, Customers, Partners, Mentors, Talent CONNECTIONS Investors, Customers, Partners, Mentors LEARNING Coaches, Mentors, Peers FOR WHICH STARTUPS? EARLY STAGE STARTUPS USERS Between 100 – 10,000 CUSTOMERS Between 10 – 1,000 ANNUAL REVENUE Between $1,000 – $100,000 TEAM 2+ Full-Time Team COMPANY Company Incorporated GROWTH STAGE STARTUPS USERS Between 10,000 –...

Start your application HERE About GroFin: GroFin is a pioneering development financier specializing in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. GroFin combines patient capital and specialized business support to grow emerging market enterprises.  SGB Fund: First of its kind, uncapped and unlimited-life fund to support growth of small and growing businesses in Africa. Officially launched by GroFin on September 23rd, 2015. Fund Size: US $100+ Million Focus: Focus on Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) that are grossly underserved by other funds or financiers. Delivers a unique integrated solution for patient risk capital and end-to-end business support to start-up and growing businesses at the SME base. Locations: Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda Investors: Shell Foundation, KfW, Dutch Good Growth Fund, Norfund, GroF...

start your application here Aspire Small Business Fund About GroFin: GroFin is a pioneering development financier specializing in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. GroFin combines patient capital and specialized business support to grow emerging market enterprises.  Aspire Small Business Fund:Incorporated in July 2013 to servegrowth-oriented small enterprises in the Niger Delta region. Fund Size:US$ 10 million Focus:Create sustainable employment, economic growth and social development through the provision of business development assistance, risk finance (US$ 10,000 to US$100,000) and market linkages to viable, growth-oriented small enterprises. Locations: Niger Delta region Objectives:The Aspire Small Business Fund aims: ·       To invest in 160 businesses in the Niger Delta, whil...

start your application here Aspire Small Business Fund About GroFin: GroFin is a pioneering development financier specializing in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. GroFin combines patient capital and specialized business support to grow emerging market enterprises.  Aspire Small Business Fund:Incorporated in July 2013 to servegrowth-oriented small enterprises in the Niger Delta region. Fund Size:US$ 10 million Focus:Create sustainable employment, economic growth and social development through the provision of business development assistance, risk finance (US$ 10,000 to US$100,000) and market linkages to viable, growth-oriented small enterprises. Locations: Niger Delta region Objectives:The Aspire Small Business Fund aims: ·       To invest in 160 businesses in the Niger Delta, whil...

The Urbantech program is a global accelerator program for startups within the urban tech space. Together with the partners of the program, startups will scale their businesses and further the development of sustainable cities. The program will run through 2019-2021, admitting 10 startups in each cycle. A WORLD CLASS ACCELERATOR The Urbantech program is a world-class accelerator for high potential startups. Our goal is to contribute to further development of sustainable urban solutions. We want to bring the world’s best startups within the urban tech scope to Denmark and scale their businesses together with the program partners. For 2019, we are looking for 10 startups and we are open for applications now. Urbantech Accelerator Urbantech Blox Face-to-face engagement The program is structured like a traditional accelerator with a 3-month onsite program, but unlike other accelerators, our end-goal is to create meaningful partnerships between startups a...

Startup of the Year (SOTY), powered by Established since 2006, discovers and supports the most promising and innovative startups from around the world. Do you have what it takes to become the next Startup of the Year champion? ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ● Be fewer than 6 years old ● Have raised less than $5MM in funding ● Be an independent company (not a subsidiary) ● Have a working beta product or service ABOUT THE COMPETITION The Startup of the Year (SOTY) competition takes place over a 1-year period and culminates at our annual event each fall. STARTUP OF THE YEAR 1 . Attracts the most innovative, emerging startups from around the world – and has been since 2006. In doing so, we have had the pleasure of meeting and helping to amplify the stories of some great companies such as GrubHub, Groupon, LivingSocial, AddThis, Desk, and Uber. 2.  Provides founders the opportunity to grow their startup to its best potential via a g...

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Apply  SEED AWARDS 2019  Take your enterprise to the next level Is your start-up enterprise innovative, locally driven, and eco-inclusive ? Is your enterprise making significant contributions to inclusive climate change mitigation and/or adaptation? Does your enterprise aim to replicate business activities in another region or country? Apply for the SEED Awards to take your enterprise to the next level. Up to 66 prize packages will be awarded to locally-driven and early-stage enterprises, which leverage their innovative business solutions to solve social and environmental challenges across Africa and Asia. SEED LOW CARBON AWARDS Ghana, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand & Uganda 6 Winners: receive 1-year SEED Accelerator support & €10,000* grant each 24 Finalists: receive 6 months SEED Catalyser support & €1,500 grant each SEED AFRICA AWARDS Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe 5 Winners: receive 1-year SEED Accelerator ...