Welcome to this week’s edition of the Funding and Grant Opportunities series, where we bring you the latest funding opportunities from across the continent, including seed funding, accelerator programs, and grant opportunities.
As usual, let’s dive in and see what new opportunities await African startups!
SME Growth Lab Accelerator Program
To commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day, SME Growth Lab Africa and Shecluded partnered to enable female entrepreneurs across Africa and Shecluded community members to participate in SME Growth Lab’s first women-only cohort of its Digital Accelerator Program.
Through this partnership we aim to reach hundreds of female entrepreneurs across Africa, providing them with the necessary training and support to overcome business challenges, grow their ventures, and drive economic growth.
Benefits: Sales, marketing, finance & legal training, mentorship from business experts, exclusive access to community and resources, certificate of completion.
Application deadline: April 23, 2023
LASRIC-IHL Venture Catalyst Program for Early-stage Startups
The Venture Catalyst Program is a partnership between LASRIC (Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council) and Impact Hub Lagos to equip and fund early stage startups with resources, connections.
Benefits: Equity investment ranging from $25k – $30k, 2 weeks investment readiness bootcamp, 6 months access to the Impact Hub Lagos workspace and global network, portfolio support and funding connections.
Application deadline: April 30, 2023
Start Path Global Small Business Program
Mastercard has launched its Start Path Small Business four-month program for startups to collaborate with the company to scale solutions that drive simple, secure digital experiences for SMEs. The program is currently receiving applications from start ups that are innovating across a range of digital services for SMEs including, accounting software, ecommerce solutions, lending platforms, payment technologies, digital banking and much more.
During the four-month program, selected startups will have the opportunity to leverage Mastercard’s network and SME expertise to uncover product partnerships, scale their companies and power solutions that drive safe, secure and simple experiences.
Benefits: Rapid path to scale, dedicated support, access to Mastercard product teams, customers, channels & subject-matter experts, strategic investments.
Application deadline: April 30, 2023
Learn more about the program here.
Growth4Her Investor Readiness Accelerator Program
Growth4Her is a 6-month Investor Readiness Accelerator Program, open to women in West and Central Africa. G4Her seeks to bridge the gender financing gap in Africa by providing women entrepreneurs with the capacity and tools which enables them to transition from small to high potential fundable growth stage businesses. Cohort 2 is open for applications from women in Nigeria and Cameroon and those selected for the cohort will be contacted.
Benefits: Access to funding, psychosocial and policy support, mentorship, access to market, media exposure.
Application deadline: May 8, 2023
Learn more about the program here.
EEP Africa Grant Financing for Innovative Clean Energy Solutions
EEP Africa invites companies, start-ups and social enterprises to submit applications for innovative early-stage clean energy projects in the active development phase in Southern and Eastern Africa. All applications need to demonstrate a clear need and additionality for EEP Africa financing.
Benefits: Grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 – 1,000,000.
Application deadline: May 12, 2023
Learn more about the opportunity here.
JAMII Femmes African Women Entrepreneurs Program
The JAMII Femmes initiative aims to increase the impact of African women entrepreneurs on the African economy and to support the creation of innovative solutions for sustainable development that will contribute to positive change in Africa by improving the quality of life for tens of thousands of people.
JAMII Femmes is a great opportunity to develop skills, access a grant and join a network of 7000 women.
Benefits: Access to grants ranging from $300 to $10,000, physical acceleration bootcamp, lifetime access to the WIA network.
Application deadline: June 30, 2023
Apply for the program using this link.
Katapult Africa Accelerator
The world’s increasing population means there is an increasing demand for food, along with an increasing environmental footprint from agriculture. New technologies in food production have the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and distribute food, as well as manage our food waste. Innovative startups from Africa are encouraged to take the leap and create solutions for the future.
Katapult’s Africa Accelerator Program will recruit the best companies and provide them the tools, network and the financial support for success. Together with our partners, Katapult aims to contribute to a transformative, structural change in the food chain.
Benefits: Investment of $150,000 to $400,000, technical assistance, access to investor network.
Application deadline: December 30, 2023
Learn more about the accelerator program here.
Don’t forget to check through our previous posts for more funding and grant opportunities to help ensure your startup thrives. Check them out here.
