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Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

How To Apply for SMEDAN/Sterling bank 5 billion Naira loan For MSMEs

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on

SMEDAN is partnering with Sterling Bank to provide a total of ₦5 billion in loans to small businesses throughout Nigeria. The loan facility features a favorable single-digit interest rate of 9%, enhancing its attractiveness for Nigeria’s NSMEs.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was officially executed on November 22 at the SMEDAN Corporate Headquarters in Idu, Abuja, with Mr. Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, and Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Sterling Bank, overseeing the agreement. (more…)

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Funding Opportunities

Leventis Foundation Training Programme in Modern and Sustainable Agriculture 2024

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
Leventis Foundation

The Leventis Foundation (Nigeria) is a charitable company dedicated to the training of youth and farmers in modern and sustainable agricultural practices and rational use of natural resources.

The Foundation has been running agricultural training for youths and farmers since 1987 and currently has established six agricultural training schools in different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. (more…)

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Funding Opportunities

SBN NutriPitch 2023: The Business Model Pitch Competition

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
NutriPitch

Are you a food and nutrition-focused agribusiness entrepreneur targeting low-income consumers? Is your agribusiness characterized by innovative processes and marketing campaigns?  Apply for the 2023 NutriPitch Competition. The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) is hosting the 2023 Edition of SBN’s NutriPitch competition in partnership with FATE Foundation.

The aim of this partnership is to identify innovative business models that are focused on accelerating low-income consumer’s access to nutritious food while being profitable; that is, the approach that can enable a company to capture value (and thus be profitable) while still providing the food at a price the customers are able and willing to pay. In addition, SBN NutriPitch Program will provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs in the nutrition space to strengthen their capacity and develop their business models leveraging on innovation to improve access to nutritious foods in Nigeria.

SBN NutriPitch Program Highlights

  1. Capacity Building on
  • Business Model Development for targeting low-income consumers.
  • Developing an Effective 1–3-year Growth Plan
  • Innovative Marketing for increased awareness of nutritious foods
  • Nutrition and Food Safety
  • Food systems
  • Investment Readiness
  • Business Pitch Skills
  • Product Development (disruptive technological innovations)
    1. One-on-one mentoring for 6 months
    2. Up to 10,000,000 Naira to be shared amongst the winners of the pitch competition. (Terms and Condition applies)
    3. Professional Financial Services for the winners of the Close out/ Showcase event. (Terms and Conditions apply)

Eligibility for SBN NutriPitch 2023

  • Must be a Nigerian citizen (male or female).
  • Must be between the ages of 25 and 50 as of January 2024.
  • Must be the Founder, Owner manager, or CEO of a growth-stage agribusiness venture. (Only one applicant per business will be accepted).
  • Should have their Agribusiness focused on Nutrition and Innovation.
  • Should have a good business model that focuses on reaching low-income consumers.
  • Should have a unique/innovative marketing strategy.
  • Should have a minimum of three (3) full-time highly skilled staff in a managerial capacity (excluding part-time staff and low/semi-skilled staff).
  • Must have their Agribusiness venture registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and be currently operating and generating income.
  • Must be available to participate FULL-TIME in the one-week boot camp and ALL other activities required throughout the program.

Program Benefits

  • One Week Pitch Readiness Bootcamp
  • GAP Advisory Sessions
  • Growth Plan Development
  • Pitch Competition
  • CEO Fireside Chat
  • Series of Workshops and Masterclass Sessions (see program highlights for details on this)
  • 4 months Hand-holding Mentorship Community.
  • Access to our Alumni Community post-graduation
  • N 10,000,000 Naira to be shared amongst winners of the Pitch Competition
  • Certificates
  • Capacity building

Thematic Focus Areas

Examples of solutions may include but are not limited to the following thematic areas:

  • Reaching lower-income consumers: Business models that are designed to support and target the low-income market with the aim of increasing their access to nutritious foods.
  • Disruptive Technological Innovation: Business models that promote the use of unique, innovative, and efficient technologies in the production, processing, and increasing accessibility of nutritious foods, with the aim of making nutritious foods accessible while keeping the product affordable and business profitable at the same time.
  • Innovative Marketing Campaigns: Business Models that, through exceptional marketing strategies, increase awareness and acceptability of nutritious foods in society.

How to apply For SBN NutriPitch 2023

Click here to apply for the SBN NutriPitch competition. Application is open till 11:59pm WAT on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023. Applications must be submitted before the deadline to be accepted.

Are you looking for a solid business plan or proposal to kick-start your own entrepreneurial journey or secure funding? Look no further! We can provide you with a professionally crafted business plan that stands out from the competition and is tailored for grants and loans.

Contact us at +2348034969689, futuregreenfarm@gmail.com or visit our website (https://agribusinessdigest.com.ng/futuregreenfarm) for more information.

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Funding Opportunities

SIA Foundation’s Startup Foundry Application

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
SIA Foundation’s Startup Foundry

SIA Foundation’s Startup Foundry is an incubator program that provides startups with a conducive environment to develop their ideas, refine their business models, and bring their visions to life.

The entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians is undeniable. With a booming economy and an influx of innovative startups, there’s a palpable energy and drive towards progress and growth. Yet, these bright ideas and ventures often face roadblocks – from financial constraints to skill deficits and infrastructural challenges. (more…)

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Funding Opportunities

Aurora Tech Award

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
Aurora Tech Award

The Aurora Tech Award is an annual global prize for women founders of tech startups. They believe in breaking down barriers and promoting equality in tech entrepreneurship.

Women entrepreneurs in IT face challenges like investor bias, stereotypes, and a lack of role models, limiting their representation. If you’re a woman founder with a tech startup, regardless of the specific industry, and have a functional prototype or an early version of your product, the Aurora Tech Award is just for you. They are interested in your company, your journey, and the challenges you’ve overcome.

Benefits

  • Fuel business growth with cash prizes for winners:
  • First prize: $30,000
  • Second prize: $20,000
  • Third prize: $10,000
  • Connect with a global community of women tech entrepreneurs.
  • Amplify brand visibility with PR support for finalists, attracting new audiences, partners, and investors.
  • Get valuable feedback from Venture Capital experts and jury members to improve your startup.
  • Receive guidance from inDrive’s C-level executives and industry experts with a finalist mentorship program.
  • Expand your network and gain recognition in the startup world.

Eligibility Criteria for Aurora Tech Award

Your application must meet the following criteria:

  • Woman founder: The startup must be founded or co-founded and led by a woman entrepreneur.
  • Funding stage: The startup should not have received investments exceeding $4 million in funding, including the seed round.
  • Operation time: The startup must be no more than 5 years old.
  • Minimum Viable Product (MVP): The startup should have a functional prototype. If you have only an idea, your application will not be considered.

After application Aurora Tech Award partner’s VC funds will evaluate the following aspects:

Personal

  • Leadership skills: Assessing your ability to lead, inspire your team, and make strategic decisions.
  • Overcoming personal challenges: Understanding the challenges you faced as an entrepreneur and how you overcame them.

Startup

  • Potential market size: Examining the size and growth potential of your target market.
  • Scalability: Assessing the potential for your business model to scale efficiently.
  • Profit generation (unit economics): Analyzing your ability to generate profits.
  • Unique competitive advantage: Evaluating what sets your startup apart from competitors.
  • Product-market fit: Assessing how well your product meets market needs.
  • Go-to-market strategy: Reviewing your plan for effectively entering the market.
  • Team potential: Evaluating your team members’ expertise.
  • Social impact: Considering your startup’s positive impact on society.

Aurora Tech Award Application Timeline

End of Application is on December 1, 2023

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Are you looking for a solid business plan or proposal to kick-start your own entrepreneurial journey or secure funding? Look no further! We can provide you with a professionally crafted business plan that stands out from the competition and is tailored for grants and loans.

Contact us at +2348034969689, futuregreenfarm@gmail.com or visit our website (https://agribusinessdigest.com.ng/futuregreenfarm) for more information.

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Agribusiness Tips

How to Secure Funding for Your Agribusiness Venture

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
funding

Funding is essential  for any agribusiness venture to grow and succeed. Starting an agribusiness venture requires not only a strong vision and passion for agriculture, but also the necessary funds to bring your ideas to life. Securing funding for your agribusiness venture may seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and strategies, it can be achievable. In this article, we will explore various strategies to help you secure the funds you need to ensure the success of your agribusiness venture. (more…)

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Funding Opportunities

SME Growth Lab Accelerator Program (Cohort 4, 2023)

by Johnpaul Mbanefo on
SME Growth Lab

SME Growth Lab Africa is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Bujeti. This collaboration marks a significant step in bolstering the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Nigeria.

As part of this partnership, a grant totaling N500,000 will be shared among the top 5 entrepreneurs who exhibit outstanding performance within the digital accelerator program. Our overarching objective is to reach and positively impact hundreds of SMEs throughout Nigeria by equipping them with essential business training, mentorship, and support. Through this initiative, we aim to enable SMEs to surmount business obstacles, nurture their enterprises, and actively contribute to the advancement of the economy.​ (more…)

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