Applications open for Catalytic Funding to support Start-Up

Programme Objective

• DEG Impulse gGmbH and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) support young companies to scale innovative business models in selected emerging markets that create positive impact and contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Funding Information

• DEG Impulse and GIZ provide non-dilutive capital of EUR 100,000 (and a top-up for successful Ventures in a potential second phase)
• The company must receive matching funds equaling the amount of the non-dilutive capital in the form of cash injection from other investors. Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and still available for the develoPPP Ventures investment. The external capital must have been received at the latest by the time of disbursement of the develoPPP Ventures funds. Companies should therefore be in advanced discussions with investors around securing financing within the next six months.
• The use of funds takes place in the develoPPP Ventures target country, in which the company is registered (conclusion of contract will only be possible with a locally registered entity)
• The investment proposal is financially sound, and the purpose of funding is clearly defined
• Entirely commercial financing of the investment project is not possible at this point (subsidiarity)

Eligible Criteria

• The company is registered in the target country OR plans to register there prior to the investment
• The company is privately owned and profit-oriented
• At least one annual financial statement is provided
• A viable business plan and a financial plan is available
• The company is operative and has generated first revenues from operating activities (Proof of Concept)
• The company should not have acquired more than a maximum of EUR 2 million in funding to date

Assessment Criteria

• Innovation: The business model is innovative with regard to the target country
• Scalability: The company has a high growth potential due to the size of the market and the target group
• Financial Sustainability: The break-even point will be reached timely (maximum within 3 years)
• Adequate Management: The company has the necessary expertise as well as management capacity and human resources to substantially scale its business
• Developmental Impact:
  • The business model has a significant developmental relevance
  • The impact is measurable, i.e. positive effects on the target groups
  • The company is contributing to reaching the SDGs by increasing local income, saving natural resources, improving access to resources and services, and creating decent jobs

For more information, visit develoPPP.