Deadline Date: June 26, 2026
The Business Idea Pitching Project provides small grants to support micro and small enterprises in Lesotho by improving access to finance and enabling business growth, innovation, and job creation.
Access to finance for MSMEs; support for viable and tested business ideas with growth potential; expansion, diversification, and innovation of existing micro and small businesses; job creation; strengthening of enterprises operating for at least one year; support for Basotho entrepreneurs aged 21 to 59; targeting businesses not previously funded under BEDCO funding opportunities; alignment with four National Strategic Development Plan priority sectors; capacity building through business idea pitching and training; selection through a structured adjudication process including pitching and due diligence.
The initiative is designed to bridge financing gaps by offering simple and accessible grant opportunities ranging from M3,000 to M10,000 for qualifying MSMEs across all ten districts of the country. It specifically targets Basotho-owned businesses that demonstrate clear growth potential and are actively operating, ensuring that support is directed toward enterprises capable of scaling their operations.
Applicants undergo a structured process beginning with mobilization and online application submission, followed by selection of candidates for business idea pitch deck training. Shortlisted participants then present their business ideas through pitching sessions, after which due diligence is conducted to assess feasibility and impact before final selection.
A total of 20 MSMEs are selected on a semi-annual basis as beneficiaries of the programme. The winners are distributed across four funding categories, with each category awarding five businesses grants of M3,500, M5,000, M7,500, and M10,000 respectively, depending on evaluation outcomes and business potential.
The project ultimately aims to strengthen small business resilience, encourage innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic development by empowering local entrepreneurs with targeted financial support.
For more information, visit BEDCO.
