Call for Applications: Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme – Rwanda

Support and funding is available for entrepreneurs and businesses with business models focused on circular economy solutions as well as waste reduction and improved waste management, spanning early-stage, growth-stage, or mature-stage solutions.

Known as the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme, this opportunity has been made possible by the Rwanda Green Fund in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership, and will be facilitated by Impact Hub Kigali.

The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme welcomes solutions from various sectors and sub-sectors within the waste and circular economy domain, as waste reduction, reutilisation, and elimination can be addressed from diverse perspectives and at various stages of business development. Some examples include:

• Alternatives to plastic use
• Reinforced earth
• Agricultural waste reduction and reutilisation
• Payment systems for waste services
• Household waste separation and collection systems
• Circular product design
• Reuse and refill systems

Benefits

• Expert Mentoring
  • 15 weeks of expert mentoring to enhance your product or services and prepare you for market testing and fundraising.
• Coaching
  • Additional individual on-site coaching will be provided to successful programme participants.
• Grant Investment
  • Grant investment funding of up to Rwf 60,000,000 for 10 participating businesses based on milestones achieved.
• Investor Pitching
  • The 10 supported businesses will be showcased and connected to investors in the circular economy sector.

Programme Elements & Duration

The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme is structured in two phases:

• Phase One: Business and Idea Development
  • In phase one, 30 entrepreneurs will be selected to join a four-month incubation programme. Benefits of the programme include expert mentoring, workshops, and coaching and the opportunity to submit a proposal and be among 10 programme participants to receive funding.
• Phase Two: Funding and Demo Day
  • In phase two, ten entrepreneurs and businesses with the most compelling proposals will receive up to Rwf 60 million each in grant funding depending on the maturity or nature of the business or idea. These entrepreneurs and businesses will also receive additional and tailored business support, and the opportunity to connect with investors in the sector at the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme Demo Day.

Who can apply?

• The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme is open to entrepreneurs and businesses operating in the waste and circular economy sector.
• To be eligible, active participation in the programme is required, including mandatory attendance at workshops and coaching sessions. Only those participants who have been actively engaged in the programme and present a compelling proposal will be considered for grant funding.
• The programme spans four months, from December 2023 to April 2024. Programme participants will be invited to submit business proposals for funding in April 2024.
• The announcement of the 10 grant recipients will be made in May 2024. Subsequently, these recipients will receive tailored business support over three months to effectively utilise the funds.
• The entrepreneur or business must fulfil the following criteria:
  • Operating in the waste and circular economy sectors
  • Currently operating in Rwanda
  • Available to participate fully in the programme.

For more information, visit Ireme Invest.