Orange Corners Incubation and Acceleration Programme – South Sudan

Orange Corners South Sudan aims to support young entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. They offer capacity-building training, masterclasses, coaching, mentor sessions, business development support, networking opportunities and more. Together with the public and private partners, they aim to contribute towards strengthening the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Sudan. Orange Corners is an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

What they offer?

• Capacity and skill development training sessions and coaching
  • The programme offers entrepreneurs in-depth training sessions designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills. Through these sessions, participants receive tailored coaching to address their individual needs and challenges. The focus is on the practical application of skills essential for business growth, ensuring that entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge and capabilities crucial for success in their ventures.
• Masterclasses
  • Entrepreneurs enrolled in the programme benefit from specialised masterclass sessions conducted by industry experts. These sessions provide in-depth insights into business aspects and strategies, allowing participants to gain valuable knowledge from experienced professionals. The masterclasses present opportunities for interactive learning and skill refinement, contributing to the overall development of the entrepreneurs.
• Business development services and mentoring
  • Participants gain access to a range of business development services aimed at refining their business strategies. Additionally, the programme offers ongoing mentoring support from experienced business professionals. Entrepreneurs receive guidance on navigating challenges, making informed decisions, and developing a strategic approach to their business operations, ensuring sustained growth.
• Personalised business advice
  • Entrepreneurs benefit from personalised one-on-one advisory sessions tailored to their unique needs. During these sessions, participants receive personalised advice on various aspects of business development, problem-solving, and decision-making. The strategic guidance provided helps optimise their business operations, fostering a tailored approach to overcoming challenges and achieving success.
• Events and networking
  • The programme facilitates participation in networking events where entrepreneurs can connect with industry peers. These events provide valuable opportunities to build a professional network, fostering collaborations, partnerships, and overall business growth. Entrepreneurs gain access to a dynamic community, enabling them to share ideas and experiences within the programme’s supportive environment.
• Workspace in incubation hub
  • Entrepreneurs enrolled in the programme receive a dedicated workspace within a well-equipped incubation hub. This collaborative environment serves as a central location for networking and idea exchange among participants. The shared workspace enhances the sense of community, encouraging collaboration and synergy among the entrepreneurs.
• Boot camp and graduation events
  • The programme includes intensive boot camps designed to accelerate learning and development for entrepreneurs. These immersive experiences aim to provide participants with the tools and skills needed to thrive in their entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, the programme concludes with graduation events, celebrating the successful completion of the programme and providing recognition and acknowledgement for the achievements of the participating entrepreneurs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Aspiring entrepreneur from South Sudan.
• Between the ages of 18-35.
• Alignment of the proposed business idea with the current economic context in South Sudan.
• Assessment of the innovative aspects of the business idea.
• Evaluation of the practicality, feasibility, sustainability and scalability of the proposed business idea.
• Consideration of the potential social impact the business can have.
• Evaluation of the clarity and understanding of the target market.
• Evaluation of the competence and expertise of the entrepreneur or founding team.
• Open to early-stage enterprises that haven’t received significant funding or traction.
• Accepts for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, registered and unregistered.
• Full commitment to the 6-month Incubation programme.
• Attendance at all mandatory sessions, including training, masterclasses, workshops, and meetings.
• Note: Female entrepreneurs are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

• Online application
  • The application form becomes available on the website prior to the beginning of each cohort cycle. Applications are open for one month, and applicants aged between 18 and 35 can submit their business ideas and a few necessary questions. Please make sure to check your email and mobile phone regularly to see if you are selected for the final interviews.
• Interview and selection
  • The selection of the participants will be determined by evaluating their application and the judgement of the interview selection committee. Selected 20-22 participants will be prepared for the main programme through a two-day long boot camp.
• Boot camp
  • Selected 20-22 participants will be prepared for the main programme through a two-day long boot camp.

For more information, visit Orange Corners.