How To Get Business Grants For Your Startup

Introduction

As entrepreneurs, we face hurdles and challenges trying to start and manage a business that involves startup capital.

So many ideas and innovations never see the light of day which is the lack of access to seed funding.

Most times, the entrepreneur in question does not often have adequate information on how they can access grants for the sole purpose of the business.

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This article has been created to help answer the above questions with clarity. Make sure to stick to the end to get a comprehensive understanding.

What are business grants?

Business grants are small sums of seed funding that push federal, state or non-profit organizations’ goals forward.

Unlike a loan, you don’t have to repay it. But you do have to prove you can achieve the goal.

In the long run, some grant offering organization usually gives you extra funds if you can achieve your goal. Grants can be organized and funded by

1. Government.

This type of grant is awarded by the government of a specific country or region.

In this type of situation, grants are organised, awarded and disbursed by the government of a particular country or region. But, sadly, not all governments are ready to partake in the disbursement of grants and even if they do, they are likely not to broadcast it to the hearing of everybody.

2. Non-Governmental Organisations.

This type of grant is organised and awarded by non-governmental bodies and organisations.

This is by far the most popular form of grant worldwide. This is because so many philanthropists and organisations choose to give back to their environment by empowering individuals through grants.

How do I qualify for business Grants?

Now You are hearing of grants for the first time or you have probably heard of it once before and you need to know if you are eligible to access one. here are a few guidelines to follow.

1. Have a new or an existing business idea.

The first thing to know or have in mind is the need to have a business or a startup idea. In most cases, your business is to be new or existing for not more than 3 years of existence.

2. Have a business plan.

A business plan is necessary for the success of any business. A business plan should contain.

• Your intended product or service? Is it something the market truly needs, or just something that you’re good at and enjoy?.
• Your target market (if you answer “everyone,” then you haven’t thought it through. You’ve got to be more specific.
• Your competition? How is your target market currently getting its needs met?
• The needed startup capital is needed to get your business to life.

3. Become familiar with the process.

Most grants processes are usually very detailed and time-consuming. There is no guarantee if you will receive one. Always make sure to get familiar with their processes and the only way to do this is to make sure you get connected with previous alumni.

4. Own a website.

Most times you would want to apply for a grant that is not in your location and the only way they can verify and trust your business is the use of a website.

You can have a business that explains in detail the information about your business. Owning a website makes your business authentic.

Here is an article I recommend you read to help you get started with owning your website.

• How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Website or Blog 
• How To Start A Blog And Make Money

5. Use Social media platforms.

While filling out your grant application, you will be asked to fill out your social media platforms.

This would help them review the latest activity in your businesses. Even if you have not started full-scale work or production, you can anticipate and declare your passion via your social media platform.

Here is an article I recommend you read to help you get started with social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

• How To Grow Your Business On Facebook
• How To Grow Your Business On Instagram
• How To Get Verified On Instagram 

6. Check For Grant offering Organizations.

You are now aware of some of the major requirements needed to get business grants. Now is the time to identify organisations offering organisations at your disposal and keep track of them.

Most of them open out their portal once a year; you should be aware of every one of them so that you can pitch your business.

Also, note that you are only allowed to receive the business grants only once and can even qualify for more if you can develop the business.

Also, don’t forget to note that now all of these business grants offering organisations are genuine. Here are very few trustworthy ones.

1. International Breweries Foundation.

Owned and presided by the international breweries. This foundation empowers young people from the age of 18 – 35 with business start-up funds. Funds ranging from 200k to over 3 million are disbursed to either existing businesses not up to three years or new startup businesses.

Application is opened every year to all nationwide applicants to pitch their business Idea and luckily enough to get seed funding to boost their businesses.

TRY IT NOW – The international breweries foundation

2. The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

The big boy in the game, The Tony Elumelu Foundation Presently presided by Mr Tony Elumelu Himself, the CEO of UBA Bank, Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Hilton has empowered over 3M entrepreneurs in the last ten years of operation. Disbursement of seed funding to over 5K entrepreneurs across West Africa is carried out annually.

Application opens in late December and closes in early February of every year. Winner or qualified applicants are issued the sum of USD 5,000 for the sole purpose of their business and it carries no interest, you are not paying back, it’s free money.

Here is an in-depth article on how you can win the Tony Elumelu Foundation Grants.

• How To Win The $5000 Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant

3. Bank Of Industry (BOI).

The Bank of Industry (BOI) newly started a youth empowerment program for young and talented entrepreneurs looking to venture into various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Program is BOI’s effort at addressing the worrisome happening of youth lay-off in Nigeria by building the volume of the youths and funding their business ideas.

The YES program is aimed at providing young people with the requisite skills and knowledge to be self-employed by starting and running their businesses. The YES Program comprises of;

1. Eight (8) weeks of accelerated online Entrepreneurship and Business Management practice which can test participants’ knowledge and track their progress.
2. Five (5) days of in-class Entrepreneurship and Business Management training.
3. Technical skills training in partnership with the various technical training and vocational institutes in the country.
4. Financing the businesses by BOI under its SME Cluster initiative in consonance with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s commodity-based Industrialization Strategy.

To be eligible:

• The applicant must be a Nigerian.
• Must have a viable business idea within the 40 identified clusters that are operated, or will operate in Nigeria.
• Must be within the age limits of 18 and 35. (proof of identity: International passport/Drivers License/National ID/Voters card required).
• Must possess a minimum educational qualification of Ordinary National Diploma (OND).
• Applicants must be able to carry out the application process online.

4. The Pollination Project.

Founded in 2013, The Pollination Project (TPP) is a worldwide philanthropic foundation whose purpose is to spark morality and kindness in every person through a daily tradition of beneficence and grant-making.

Also, take note that the creators of the pollination projects are rigidly vegan and will not support or fund any business that has to do with killing animals.

So don’t pitch for poultry or any form of animal rearing because it would be rejected. Just thought to let you know, that The Pollination Project is a grant award organisation based in the United States.

It has a mission to empower startups and businesses all over the world with just $1K.

The most interesting part of it is that they are open throughout the year except for holidays like Christmas.

They take an application from all over the world and review it for over six to eight weeks.

Approved applicants thereby receive funds via PayPal.

Here is an in-depth guide article on how to apply for the Pollination Project.

• How To Apply And Win The Pollination Project $1,000 Grant

TRY IT NOW  – Thepolinationproject.org

5. Injini.co.za.

Injini is the premier educational technology (EdTech) incubator or accelerator on the African continent. Based in South Africa, Injini invests in promising African EdTech startups and works closely with them to ultimately achieve their goal of positively impacting educational outcomes on the continent.

Do you have a technology-driven innovation that could improve educational outcomes in Africa? Are you looking to take your early-stage startup to the next level some basic requirements include?

EdTech entrepreneurs based anywhere in Africa have the only opportunity to get industry specialist mentoring, support, scale-up and funding introductions, and early-stage funding.

1. Your Edutech startup is based in Africa and is also focused on boosting Education in Africa.

2. Your problem aims to be addressing a key solution to problems in Africa.

3. Your solution is evidence-based with feasible results.

4. Your company is registered and the certificate can be shared with the Injini organization.

5. Participating founders must be fluent in English.

6. Your startup has an MVP or a prototype.

7. Your startup has one full-time founder.

TRY IT NOW – Injini.vo.za

6. Google LaunchPad.

The Google Launchpad Accelerator programme in Africa was launched in 2017 to promote top seed startups on the continent. The launchpad accelerator has a target to provide over $3 million in equity-free support to more than 60 African tech startups.

The three-month programme serves as an opportunity for selected African startups to leverage Google’s ample resources and support to grow their products and businesses into bigger brands. The aim is to support the growth of the startups through their crucial growth phases.

It is open to applications from 17 countries across Africa, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The accelerator trains partaking startups on technology (AI/ML, Cloud, Android, Firebase), product, data, business, design, people, growth and fundraising, through interactive workshops and labs aided by Google experts and mentors.

Google Launchpad is a global acceleration program that helps startups build and scale great products by matching them with the best of Google.

Google Launchpad simply connects you with mentors, funds and workspace provided you are working on something great. Google Launchpad provides you

• Equity-free support
• Access to Google engineers and intensive mentoring from 20+ teams
• Access to silicon valley experts and top local mentors
• PR training and global media opportunities
• Close partnership with Google for three months

TRY IT NOW – Googlelaunchpad

7. FBStart Accelerator.

The FbStart Accelerator by Facebook Inc is a deep-tech-focused accelerator program for fantastic and innovative teams using high-level technologies to solve problems in our society and develop solutions for the future.

In 2018, Facebook and CcHUB kicked off a partnership steered at discovering next-generation solutions leveraging revolutionary technologies with the launch of the FbStart Accelerator in Lagos.

Fifteen teams across Nigeria were selected, and six months later, 90% of the teams achieved their goals for the program.

As of April 2019, they have raised over $400,000 in grants and investments, amongst other highlights.

The research and the mentorship-driven program equip teams with technical & business support and funding needed to optimize their product for growth.

It is designed for startup and student teams building solutions that utilize these technologies; Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).

The onsite part of the accelerator is tailored for startup teams who would be physically present at NG_HUB. In contrast, student teams would have the flexibility of a virtual acceleration program, with the option to work out of partner hubs.

NG_HUB, from Facebook and in partnership with CcHUB, is a deep-tech focused innovation lab for entrepreneurs, students, researchers, technologists and other stakeholders building solutions with exceptional technologies.

FbStart offers an exclusive network for entrepreneurs, worldwide conferences, Facebook mentorship, and $60,000 in free software and services.

TRY IT NOW – Fb Start Accelerator.

8. Y Combinator.

Just like Google LaunchPad and Facebook Accelerator, Y Combinator has been in the business of empowering startups and connecting with potential markets.

Y Combinator grants seed funding for startups. Seed funding is the earliest stage of venture funding.

One of the significant duties of this company is that it pays your expenses while you’re getting started; the primary goal behind Y Combinator is to get you through the first phase.

Then, with Y Combinator, you get to the point where you have built something impressive enough to raise money on a larger scale.

You will be introduced to later-stage investors—or occasionally even acquirers to better fund your company and become more extensive.

We make small investments in return for small stakes in the companies we fund, making it not entirely a free equity grant.

Please remember that Y-combinator is not offering you free money; they get minor stakes in your company.

Y Combinator interviews and selects two or more company batches per annum. The enterprises receive seed money, advice, and connections in exchange for the company’s 7 per cent equity.

The program includes “office hours”, where startup founders meet individually and in group meetings.
Founders also participate in weekly dinners in which guests from the Silicon Valley ecosystem (successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, etc.) speak to the founders.

The curriculum teaches entrepreneurs to sell their company, team and sell, optimize their business model, achieve product/market fit, scale the startup into a high-growth business, etc.

The program ends with Demo Day, where entrepreneurs introduce their company to potential investors, usually technology. Y Combinator is responsible for funding great startups like Stripe and Paystack.

TRY IT NOW – Y Combinator

9. SeedStars World.

Seedstars was founded in 2012 by Pierre-Alain, Michael and Adrien, three entrepreneurs from Switzerland who combined their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and building companies from scratch.

Sometime after, Alisée de Tonnac joined the team. Together, they launched the biggest pitching competition to discover the most promising early-stage high-growth ventures and build the largest entrepreneurial community in emerging and frontier markets.

As an international investment and education company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, our work traverses over 90+ countries with 15 offices around the globe. Seedstars support the world’s most enthusiastic and dedicated entrepreneurs in growing their companies to produce significant and lasting change.

Seedstars has over three funding programs, including Seedstars international and Seeedstars Africa. SeedStars Africa is one of the business grants offered to entrepreneurs from Africa. Seedstars Africa is an organisation active offering SME grants in over 53 countries globally, particularly regions like Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

To access business grants from Seedstars, you will need to apply for the annually offered Business grant competition, competitive grants for young business owners and developing markets.

These business grants for entrepreneurs from Africa help recognise promising business owners, organizations and companies in the very need of capital.

Seedstars aid Entrepreneurs who have a business in any African country to develop, and support online businesses in Africa and fund web and mobile tech startups in Africa.

TRY IT NOW – Seedstars.com

10. Shared Interest.

Shared Interest ethical investment organisation which aims to alleviate poverty by helping people in remote and disadvantaged communities, to trade and earn a living.

Shared interest has over 11,500 investors coming together to accomplish a common goal, pooling over £47 million of investment to generate funds to administer loans and credit facilities to essentially fair trade businesses, to ensure that farmers are paid on time for their crops and Once they sell their crops or crafts, they pay back the loan, and we lend this money again.

This business grant for Africans is lending support to young entrepreneurs in Africa. Shared Interest was established in 1990 with the aim of financing artisans, farmers and food producers in developing countries as a lending society founded situated in England.

Shared Interest has a large investment and satellite offices in major African countries like Ghana, Kenya, Costa Rica, Peru and some Eastern African countries. Shared interest starts to support Entrepreneurs in Africa from developing countries and equipping SME grants to make finance available to business owners such as food producers, farmers, and artisans.

TRY IT NOW – Shared-interest.com

11. Lundin Foundation.

The Lundin Foundation is a Canadian organization offering business grants. It was established by the Swedish family by the name of Lundin in the year 2005 to offer Entrepreneurs in African countries business grants.

Mr Lundin as the founder had the unusual experience of travelling through Africa by motorcycle in 2006 and absorbing himself deeply into the everyday challenges that people faced to find economic stability and independence.

This journey was a crucial moment, as he crossed over 12,000km with his fellow travellers from Cairo to Cape Town, the trip highlighted to him the potential for resource expansion to be a powerful catalyst for sustainable development. So began the early days of the Lundin Foundation.

Lundin investments supported 703 small businesses which generated $55M in revenue, a 45% annual increase. These businesses established 2,776 jobs and helped communities earn USD 9.6M in household income, a 51% increase from 2018.

Lundin Foundation has its headquarters located in Canada, but run branches in these African countries- Ghana and Kenya.

Several business owners and entrepreneurs across Africa have taken this business grant offered by Lundin Foundation.

some of its investment priorities include providing financial support to already established businesses, and organizations around the world and also providing business grants, risk capital and mentorship to business owners, and companies across Africa.

TRY IT NOW – lundinfoundation.org

12. Root Capital.

Root Africa was Founded in 1999 by Willy Foote, with the target of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Root Africa is also responsible for the supply agricultural businesses with financial capital and training to help them grow.

Root Capital offers Business grants to empower entrepreneurs and businesses in Africa. Root Capital is a non-profit investment fund established in 1991 to arbitrarily provide funds and impact businesses, and families in rural communities and bridge social interaction with business owners.

Root Capital invests in the growth of agricultural enterprises that support these smallholder farmers. Root Capital seeks out enterprises whose credit needs are too big for microfinance and too small or risky for commercial banks.

Root Africa has been able to provide loans ranging from about $200,000 to $2 million specially tailored to harvest and sales cycles. To assist businesses to grow over the long term, we combine that financing with deeply customized training to strengthen their financial management, governance, and agronomic capacity.

Over 450 businesses have received grants worth millions of dollars within the years of business grants awarded. However, the policies have a 100% payback for the Root Capital investors.

One of the objectives of Root Capital is to Bridge the business grant gap and promote rural development with business capital, Provide business training and sourcing funds options to strengthen small and medium-sized businesses.

Connect to agricultural businesses and deliver financial training including funds to strengthen and grow businesses in Africa.

TRY IT NOW  – Rootcapital.org

13. Schwab Foundation

Schwab foundation was created by Klaus Schwab, the Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum in the year 1998 To advance social entrepreneurs across the globe.

Its entrepreneurship firm is situated in Geneva, Switzerland to provide business grants across the African region with rigorous selection stages which upon selection you will receive the business grant.

Schwab Foundation continually seeks business owners who are social entrepreneurs in different areas such as agribusiness, tech, health, and education.

Some of the milestones achieved by this organization include the disbursement of over $6.7 billion in loans or value of products and services to improve livelihoods of the less privileged across the world, Mitigated more than 192 million tonnes of CO2, Improved education for more than 226 million children and youth, Improved energy access for 100 million people, Driven social inclusion for over 25 million people for people with disabilities, homelessness or refugee status. and may more.

The target of this organization is to Provide grants to social entrepreneurs in areas such as education, agribusiness, health, and technology and Basically, fund social entrepreneurs after the intensive screening with the business grants.

TRY IT NOW – schwabfound.org

14. MEST Africa Challenge.

MEST is an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for technology startups in Africa. 

Just like Y-combinator, it was founded in Ghana in 2008, MEST provides critical skills training, funding, and support in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s tech entrepreneurs. 

It currently has Hubs are located in Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya.

Are you a young tech entrepreneur developing in the tech industry? MEST Africa Challenge offers an annual Africa wide-pitch competition with a business fund of $50,000 in equity financing for startups.

MEST Africa Challenge is a business grant for entrepreneurs who are in tech business based in any of the country-Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sénégal, South Africa and Tanzania. 

The challenge is a unique search for African tech entrepreneurs and focuses on giving them coaching business capital, and wide networking with other entrepreneurs, and startups.

The vision begins MEST is to assist African entrepreneurs with business investment capital and Provide business grants to youthful emerging technology entrepreneurs in Africa.

TRY IT NOW –  meltwater.org

15. Savannah Fund.

Savannah Fund is a seed capital fund specializing in US$50,000-US$1,000,000 investments in early-stage high-growth technology (web and mobile) startups in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The Savanah Fund was founded by Paul Bragiel and Mbwana Alliy who have in previous times worked with Silicon Valley-based startups.

The Savanah fund was initially focused on East Africa, to fund the early stage/angel and venture capital investment gap that currently exists in Africa, but in recent times has been slowly expanding towards Sub-Saharan Africa.

The few people that can access this Fund expect to get capital with mentor networks and local technical assistance both in the region and Silicon Valley, US.

The Savanah fund has over time generated revenue of more than $ 8 million as it focuses on nursery stage high-growth technology entrepreneurs and startups in Africa.

Since it has been assisting entrepreneurs with business grants. It has records of support for African entrepreneurs from Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and other neighbouring countries.

One of the core objectives of the Savanah Fund is to bridge the business funding gap between venture capital investments and early startups and entrepreneurs in Africa.

TRY IT NOW  –  Savannah. VC

16. She Leads Africa Accelerator Grants.

She Leads Africa is a business grant offering organization in Nigeria founded by Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei.

She Leads Africa was started by these two Nigerian women to empower female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, to not only start their business but;

1. To connect them with over 700,000 other women across Africa.

2. Publish articles, newsletters, podcasts and videos to help women start, grow and improve their businesses and career.

3. Host digital and real-life events throughout the year to help you relax and build the career of women and read and discuss new books every month to help you learn and connect with other women across Africa who love books.

These business grants are offered annually to female entrepreneurs between the age of 18-and 35 and who have already a business that needs funding in Nigeria.

The program duration is 6 months with an N2Million in investment capital for entrepreneurs who are females.

Winners of this program will get access to an investment capital of millions and give female entrepreneurs between the age of 18 to 35 with an existing business based in Nigeria, business fund, and media coverage to boost their profile.

TRY IT NOW –  SheleadsAfrica.org

17. Miss Africa Seed Grants for African Women in Tech Businesses.

Miss Africa Seed grants for African women in the tech business is another funding platform solely dedicated to women in Africa who needs funds to start their business.

A US$5 000 business grant as a prize for the winner while a $1 000 grand prize for the finalists. Miss Africa Seed funding supports tech businesses owned by African entrepreneurs who are women/girls.

The Business Grant for African entrepreneurs is an initiative organized by DCA Academy offering funding as support to females in science-related fields.

If you are a current resident of any African country with demonstrated leadership potential as a company representative or social enterprise situated in Africa. Then consider these grants are it supports STEM fields and related subjects.

For you to become eligible, you must meet up the following criteria.

1. Current resident of an African country (including North and Sub-Saharan Africa).

2. Also, note that this grant is for English-speaking individuals as you will be required to apply in English.

3. Must be at least 18 years of age or a representative of a non-governmental organization (NGO) or social enterprise based in Africa.

4. Ability to demonstrate previous experience conducting activities supporting women and girls in computer science or STEM fields.

5. Commitment to developing and contributing to a virtual community for supporting women and girls initiatives.

6. Demonstrated leadership potential (references will be required for those applying for leadership funds).

7. Proposed projects MUST have a tangible impact on women and girls in computer science and/or STEM-related fields

TRY IT NOW  – missdotafrica. digital

18. YALI Regional Leadership.

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is the U.S. government’s trademark attempt to invest in the subsequent generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and around 60 per cent of Africa’s total population is beneath the age of 35. 

YALI started in 2010 to promote young African leaders as they drive growth and prosperity, restore democratic governance, and improve peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) was launched to help African entrepreneurs and finance future generation businesses in Africa.

Civil leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners receive grants including other advantages such as leadership training, creativity and innovation, and effective communication as an entrepreneur.

One of the reasons why this organization existed was to help young people with business grants and to Support African entrepreneurs between the age of 18 to 35 years.

TRY IT NOW – Yali.state.gov

19. Ashden International Awards for Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries.

Ashden International Awards for Entrepreneurs remains one of the world’s biggest green energy business awards which allows innovative enterprises the power to create sustainable energy systems.

Ashden supports established climate innovation in the UK and developing countries because on-the-ground resolutions will drive the system changes our planet needs.

It is one of the grants offering organizations that are centred around climate change in the world. You stand a chance to win this grant if your business emphasizes the issue of climate.

The business grants are welcoming to non-government organizations, and social enterprises helping to develop a low-carbon society now for future generations.

Business and social enterprises do receive $20, 000 in grants and have to be on the United Nations list of qualified countries. African countries are on the list of eligible countries so this gives you one privilege to consider this grant.

TRY IT NOW –  ashden.org/awards

20. African Entrepreneurship Award.

African Entrepreneurship Award is another funding grant awarded to African Entrepreneurs whose businesses are relevant to the African environment with social impact.

The African Entrepreneurship Award, powered by BMCE Bank of Africa, proposes a mentoring journey for business ideas that can influence and enhance the standard of living in Africa.

You should apply for this business grant for Africans if you are a citizen of any African country and age 18 years and above whose business falls into the categories of innovation & sports entrepreneurship, and sports entrepreneurship.

The purpose of the African Entrepreneurship Award is to encourage African entrepreneurs – living in Africa and abroad – to grow businesses across the African continent, creating jobs that better lives. 

The Award allies with entrepreneurs, business leaders and leading academics from Africa, Asia, the Americas, the UK and Europe. These partners are mentors who provide coaching to African entrepreneurs at every step of this journey. 

The journey includes USD 1 million across three categories: Education, the Environment and Uncharted areas – never been done before in Africa. 

The journey usually begins in April with presenting your business idea and your story by June 30, so we can provide practical mentoring in three Rounds:

Round 1 – Regional mentors advise you in May and June on regional issues and decide which ideas are most needed in your region.

Round 2 – Pan-African mentors advise you in July and August on how to get your idea beyond your borders to successfully impact pan-Africa.

Round 3 – Global Partners advise you in September on how to become sustainable and scale your idea.

Jury – The Final Jury of entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics from Africa, China, and the USA will meet you in person or by video in October to listen to your business idea and decide the winners.

The business grants are provided by BMCE Bank of Africa with a focus to provide a platform for mentorship. SME grants to entrepreneurs in Africa for smart business ideas.

TRY IT NOW – vc4a.com

21. GroFin Grants.

GroFin helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with business loans expert advice, continuous guidance and business support to grow their businesses. 

Presently headquartered in Mauritius, GroFin offers financing and support to SMEs in 14 countries in Africa and the Middle East. GroFin is backed by 34 international finance institutions, and development organisations, It has committed nearly $535 million in capital to fund businesses across Africa.

GroFin aims at helping the SME sector to create sustainable jobs to drive social and economic development that truly improves people’s lives.

by targeting Small and medium-sized businesses in Africa that are into manufacturing, agribusiness, education, healthcare and basic key services such as energy, water, and sanitation do receive business grants and support such as financial loans.

GroFin runs in over 10 African countries including; South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Oman.

TRY IT NOW – GroFin.com

22. African Women Development Fund.

Are you an African woman seeking support for your business, then this organization has been created to aid you with whatever support that you need to excel?

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a Pan-African grant-making organisation that supports the realisation and fulfilment of African women’s rights through funding autonomous women’s organisations on the continent.

It was initially founded in the year 2000 by three women, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Joana Foster and Hilda Tadria, and has awarded grants of US$59 million to over 1,300 women’s organisations in 47 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

The business grants. is given to assist organizations that are women-led or tackling issues of female rights, security, and justice.

African Women’s development funding is separated from African female grants that back any organization that aims to support women’s rights and support for peace.

To qualify, your business ought to be in existence for up to 3 years, registered and located in the African country, led by a woman and have a structured organization board for efficient project implementation.

This organization aims to Provide funds to business/organization registered and situated in an African country and Offers fund to business/enterprise that is led by women and tackles women’s rights, security and justice in their country/region.

Do you fall into any of these categories, then you should give this opportunity a try.

TRY IT NOW  – awdf.org

23. African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AWIE).

Are you a woman seeking support in business, do you have all it takes to start a business? The African Innovation and Entrepreneurship grant have been created to support you.

AWIEF is an African non-profit organisation that trains and encourages women’s innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, through its expansion programmes, accelerators, and networking events, including the yearly AWIEF Conference, Exhibition and Awards which bring over 1200 women entrepreneurs, governments, investors, academia and media, together with from across Africa and globally.

AWIEF’s mission is to promote the economic inclusion, improvement and empowerment of women in Africa through entrepreneurship support and development.

This program seeks to implement business grants to accelerate entrepreneurship that is a female-led organization. AWIE is among the entrepreneurship grant platforms that support and provide funding to innovative, creative female entrepreneurs across the African region.

Each year AWIE recognizes and supports females in private non-profit businesses in Africa doing tremendous change and impacting the economic growth of Africa.

To fully achieve this the AWIE supports women-led organizations registered in any African country and also Awards nominated female entrepreneurs in some award categories.

TRY IT NOW  – awieforum.org

24. VC4Africa.

Are you a tech startup based in Africa seeking funds to get started to expand? then you should join this amazing community.

VC4A began with the purpose to build up Africa’s startup community. Starting in 2007, the network-building organization has developed organically over the years into what is now the leading community working to develop high-growth high-impact companies globally.

This community puts the power of about four categories of people together which include;

1. Entrepreneurs, who will initially have access to the VC4A Startup Academy, mentorship opportunities and the capacity to raise capital.

2. Program partners, who engage members with their entrepreneurship programs, competitions and services.

3. Investors who can identify great companies, research opportunities and follow up with founders directly.

4. Mentors who can browse through mentorship requests and connect with founders to support their journey.

The VC4 Africa community is an exception as it tries to provide startup funding for African Entrepreneurs. 

However, VC4Africa is an online community that started as a LinkedIn group in the year 2008 and has grown to be one of the largest communities with members in 159 countries.

TRY IT NOW –  vc4a.com

25. Guzakuza Agribusiness Fund.

GUZAKUZA is a growing generation of female Agripreneurs. They are affecting the lives of emerging women Agripreneurs, growing a new generation of graduate and wealthy female farmers and growing healthy natural foods.

This singular organization offers over three programs which are, Ignite, SheFarms, and Drupal for entrepreneurs

IGNITE

Ignite is an Agribusiness programme designed to spark the creation of jobs and wealth in young women through Agripreneurship. Ignite nurtures and turns ground-breaking ideas into profitable and sustainable Agribusinesses.

This program offers a 4-month Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness certified by the London Academy of Professional Training, UK and Enterprise Risk Management I-Africa, an accredited Professional Institution. The 16-week course is created to enhance Female Agribusiness Professionals to build flexible agribusiness models. The Courses are taught by industry and cross-industry professionals.

To fully participate in this program, you need to decide whether to participate in a virtual or residential session weekly to help carry out appropriate lectures.

SHE FARMS.

Sharm is another program designed to empower 20+-year-old females, with or without farming experience with qualitative farming experience. Are you ready to commit 6 months full-time (40+ hrs a week)? Burning desire to grow/ build a farming career. You should also take into account that you must be a Ghanaian or resident in Ghana to be able to participate in this program.

DRUPAL

Dopal is the third program embedded in this organization to train other women farmers on these sustainable farming practices to produce high-yielding, healthy and safe consumable crops, and also add value to what they produce.

TRY IT NOW – guzakuza.org/

26. African Development Foundation.

The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is a sovereign U.S. Government agency founded by Congress to fund African grassroots organizations, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises. USADF’s grants support local economic improvement by developing incomes, revenues and jobs and creating pathways to prosperity for abused populations and underserved communities.

USADF has funded more than 117 million dollars directly into over 1,000 African-owned and African-led SMEs, entrepreneurs, and community organizations and impacted over 7 million lives across the continent.

USADF unites community enterprises with capital and professional support. It helps organizations and businesses in Africa to create and sustain jobs, improve income levels, achieve greater food security, and address human development needs. 

USADF focuses on weak states and frontier markets, with an importance on the Sahel, the Horn, and the Great Lakes regions of Africa. 

The USADF currently operates in 21 African countries but has made investments in more than 40 African countries with grants of up to $250,000 directly to underserved African enterprises and social entrepreneurs that are creating and sustaining jobs, improving income levels and achieving greater food security, energy access and employment opportunities for their communities

TRY IT NOW – usadf.gov

27. Acumen Business Fund.

Acumen was established by Jacqueline Novogratz in 2001 to use the potential of entrepreneurship to develop a world where everyone can live with honour.  

Acumen is a charity organization with seed capital from the Rockefeller Foundation, Cisco Systems Foundation and three individual philanthropists. 

One of the main goals for Acumen was to invest in “Patient Capital” to bridge the gap between the performance and scale of market-based approaches and the social impact of pure generosity.

In May 2014, The Acumen Fund co-invested $1.5 million in Esoko Networks Limited (“Esoko”), a Ghanaian-built technology platform that connects African farmers to markets via mobile phones. 

To achieve its set goal Acumen utilizes four approaches to investment which include; Patient capital, early-stage investment, providing access to expertise and providing businesses with post-investment support.

TRY IT NOW  –acumen.org/

28. Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund.

AECF is an Africa-based $256 million Enterprise Challenge Fund that operates with the private sector on a risk-sharing basis across 23 African countries to lessen poverty.

It provides funding as grants or zeroes interest loans to private sector businesses that have a positive impact on the rural poor in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The fund awards grant and/or loans to projects centred on agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy and adaptation to climate change to develop household incomes and reduce rural poverty.

The fund is backed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom government’s international financial institutions, the Consultative Group to Aid the Poor.

The Fund awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to encourage innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial
services.

The AECF makes its funding available through competitions. Private sector companies are requested to compete for AECF funds by submitting their new and innovative business ideas to a particular AECF competition. The best ideas are awarded up to US$1.5m in grants and interest-free loans.

Business Funding Opportunities For Young African Entrepreneurs
Among the many business grant funding available, these are the leading business grants for any young African entrepreneur.

TRY IT NOW  – aecfafrica.org/

29. Black Founders Fund Africa By Google.

Google has become one of the American tech companies to believe in Africa through all of its diverse investments in the continent.

Though it has the Google accelerator programme aimed at funding startups, it has also kickstarted another programme for founders in Africa called the black founders fund Africa.

The black founder’s fund Africa is a programme initiated by Google to support early-stage Black-founded startups and startups based in Africa and targets the African market.

Google aims, to bridge the existing fundraising gap for Black startup founders in Africa’s fast-growing technology landscape.

This non-dilutive $3 million fund is allocated across a pipeline of 50 investable startups in Africa.
The fund is open to all startups that meet the criteria, with priority given to Google for Startups Accelerator and Partner program alumni.

This fund will be given along with mentorship support and Google platform credits to help the startups grow.

This fund is currently accepting applicants from the following various African countries in Africa: Botswana, Cameroun, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe

To qualify for this startup grant you need to make sure to meet up the following criteria.

1. Your startup is headquartered in Africa or has a legal presence on the continent

2. Your business should centre around Building for Africa and a global market.

3. Creating jobs, has growth potential to raise more funding and make an impact

4. With a founding team that is diverse with at least one Black C-level founding member directly supporting the Black community

5. Technology startups with a live product in a market or business where technology is core to their ability to scale.

6. Compatibility with Google products—our products can accelerate their growth.

Each startup will receive either $50,000 or $100,000. Funding varies according to each startup’s product development stage, current needs, and how much they have already raised.

Also, make sure that your product has been released and is not in the Idea stage, So if your company has not launched a product quite yet, we ask that you wait to apply until you have reached this milestone.

Another fact about this startup grant offered by Google is that it is an equity-free investment. That means there is no shareholding or financial counterpart of any kind.

TRY IT NOW – campus.co/africa/black-founders-fund/

Conclusion.

They are over thousand business grants offering organisations both home and abroad, I only touched a very few legit ones that know. Please note all are good as they claim to make sure to be extremely careful.

Here is an article I recommend that you read to help you get started with raising capital for your business.

• How To Get Business Grants