Archipelagos Program 2024 for Young Entrepreneurs

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Archipelagos is a multi-year international cooperation program developed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the Italian Financial Institution for International Development Cooperation, with the support of the European Commission that aims at supporting the growth of African SMEs and facilitating their access to capital markets.

Through this call for application up to 1000+ SMEs will be selected across the African continent to join a dedicated capacity-building program designed to strengthen their capabilities and increase their readiness for capital markets.

Program objectives

The Archipelagos Program pursues 3 overarching objectives:

Supporting the growth of African SMEs through the Archipelagos capacity-building Program with tailored training, mentoring, and networking, powered by a dedicated digital platform.
Facilitating SMEs access to capital markets through the collaboration with local stock exchanges and a dedicated guarantee facility from the European Commission for the structuring of innovative financial instruments.
Creating a more favorable ecosystem for SMEs through the dialogue with local policy makers and institutions, and the engagement of key stakeholders.

What Archipelagos Program offer

Capacity building Program:

CDP and the European Commission, through the project Archipelagos, recognize the importance of supporting the growth and development of African SMEs. To this end, CDP has designed a dedicated capacity building Program aimed at strengthening SMEs industrial and operational capabilities and preparing them to access the capital markets.

The Program is structured around 3 core areas – training, mentoring, and networking – and is delivered through a hybrid model, combining both asynchronous and synchronous components to offer a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.

Through the Archipelagos digital platform, SMEs will have access to a vast learning catalogue of online courses, with differentiated learning paths according to the specific needs and stage of development. On top of the asynchronous component, webinars will contribute to make the learning journey even more stimulating, engaging, and interactive.

In addition to training, SMEs participating in the Program will also receive dedicated support and will have access to a community of SMEs and investors providing them the opportunity to make valuable business connections, also at international level.

Access to the Archipelagos capacity building platform will be provided also to young university graduates / young entrepreneurs that are willing to enhance their business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

Access to capital markets

The Archipelagos Program offers a unique opportunity for SMEs to access the capital they need to grow and scale up their business.

At the end of the capacity building Program, the SMEs that demonstrate the readiness and potential to raise funds in the capital markets will be provided with tailored support and guided through the fundraising process.

Selected SMEs will in fact receive dedicated mentorship and coaching to best prepare for the interaction with potential investors (e.g., support in preparing a compelling investment pitch).

Finally, they will be supported in the structuring of innovative debt instruments and secure funding at favorable terms thanks to the first loss financial guarantee facility from the European Commission that will enable attracting other investors.

Archipelagos Program is looking for participants willing to:

Develop new skills and capabilities by acquiring knowledge and expertise to grow their business and boost competitiveness.
Look for guidance and support from experienced professionals to navigate new challenges and receive actionable advice to achieve their goals.
Connect with other businesses and establish valuable connections that can help them grow and succeed, by sharing experiences, knowledge, and best practices.
Want to explore potential collaborations and partnerships that can support them in achieving their business objectives.
Pursue the chance to access debt capital to finance their growth, by connecting with a range of potential investors and differentiating their sources of funding.

Each of the selected SMEs will receive access to the platform for up to 3 key figures within the organization (e.g., founder, finance manager, strategy manager).

In addition to SMEs, the capacity building platform is also open to young university graduates / young entrepreneurs that want to boost their academic journey and prepare to enter into the business world as well as those who look for strengthening their entrepreneurial skills.

To participate in this program, SMEs should meet 5 pre-requisites:

Be Africa-based (incorporated or with main operations in Africa)
Have an annual turnover up to USD 50 million, with a minimum threshold of USD 1 million to be eligible for the financial guarantee
Be in operation since at least 2 years
Be a for-profit corporate (or other type of for-profit legal person)
Not be subject to any sanction or restriction