develoPPP Ventures Growth Funding for African Innovative Start-ups (EUR 100,000 Non-dilutive Funding)

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Applications are open for develoPPP Ventures Growth Funding. develoPPP Ventures is aimed at young companies, whose innovative business model improves living conditions in a developing or emerging country and who are planning to scale up. Via a matching-funds model, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides non-dilutive capital of 100,000 euros for suitable growth investments.

Is your start-up pursuing a high impact business model in a developing or emerging economy and has already successfully mastered the formation phase? Then find out now about the opportunities for early-stage funding through develoPPP Ventures. The call for applications is currently available in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania (via the Apply button on this page) and in Ivory Coast.

Scaling new solutions in developing and emerging economies

With develoPPP Ventures funding, the BMZ is supporting young companies that are already active in a developing or emerging economy and whose business model contributes to sustainable local economic, ecological and social development. The aim is to scale innovative solutions in order to make them accessible to more people. Therefore, it is important that the proof of concept has already been achieved and first revenues have been generated. Funding the start-up phase via develoPPP Ventures is not possible.

The BMZ supports the scaling of suitable business models with non-dilutive capital of 100,000 euros if your company manages to acquire matching funds from other sources of at least the same amount. In addition, your start-up will receive local technical support. Women-led start-ups and start-ups promoting gender equality are especially encouraged to apply.

develoPPP Ventures Growth Funding Details

DEG Impulse and GIZ provide non-dilutive capital of EUR 100,000 (and a top-up for successful Ventures in a potential second phase).
The company must receive matching funds equaling the amount of the non-dilutive capital financing in the form of cash injection from other investors. Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and still available for the develoPPP Ventures investment.
The external capital must have been received at the latest by the time of disbursement of the develoPPP Ventures funds. Companies should therefore be in advanced discussions with investors around securing financing within the next six months.
The use of funds takes place in the country where the company is registered, Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania (conclusion of contract will only be possible with a locally registered entity).
The investment proposal is financially sound, and the purpose of funding is clearly defined.
Entirely commercial financing of the investment project is not possible at this point (subsidiarity).

Eligibility Criteria for develoPPP Ventures Growth Funding

Funding decisions on specific investment projects are made via a regular develoPPP Ventures call for applications. Start-ups that are registered in the target country or that plan to register there before the start of the funding are eligible to participate. Funding is provided exclusively for business expansion in the respective country and must be invested locally. A prerequisite for funding is that the start-up phase has already been completed and initial revenues have been generated. In addition, your company must:

Be privately owned and profit-oriented.
The company is registered in Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania OR plans to register there prior to the investment (For Ivory Coast apply here, a call for Ghanaian, Nigerian and South African companies will open up in June 2025).
Have a viable business and financial plan.
Be able to provide at least one annual financial statement.
Convince other financiers of its business model (matching funds).
Not have acquired more than a maximum of €2 million in funding to date.
Have high growth potential and reach break-even within a maximum of three years.

Assessment Criteria

Innovation:
- The business model is innovative with regard to the target country
Scalability:
- The company has a high growth potential due to the size of the market and the target group
Financial Sustainability:
- The break-even point will be reached timely (maximum within 3 years)
Adequate Management:
- The company has the necessary expertise as well as management capacity and human resources to substantially scale its business
Developmental Impact:
- The business model has a significant developmental relevance
- The impact is measurable, i.e. positive effects on the target groups
- The company is contributing to reaching the SDGs by increasing local income, saving natural resources, improving access to resources and services, and creating decent jobs