Deadline: 1 April 2025
The Bridges for Enterprise (BfE) is inviting applications for its Incubation Programme to support social enterprises on the path to financial sustainability and creating impact in their communities.
The BfE Incubation Programme lasts between 6-8 months. Each engagement is conducted completely free-of-charge by their chapter teams and professional mentors with deep industry expertise. Communication throughout the entire programme takes place remotely so you can focus on running your business at the same time.
Benefits
- Consulting (guaranteed): BfE Consulting engagements are the first component of their Incubation Programme. From growth strategy to impact assessment, their talented associates tackle your most pressing challenges. (Timeline: 3-4 months)
- Finance Advisory (guaranteed): BfE Finance Advisory engagements are the second (and final) component of their Incubation Programme. From revenue forecasting to grant writing, their talented associates strive to make your business ready to attract funding. (Timeline: 3-4 months)
- Legal Advisory (optional): BfE Legal Advisory engagements are an optional component of their Incubation Programme. Any accepted startup can request legal support either upon acceptance into the Programme or before the Finance Advisory engagement begins. (Timeline: 3-4 months)
- Technical Advisory (optional): BfE Technical Advisory engagements are an optional component of their Incubation Programme. Any accepted startup can request technical support either upon acceptance into the Programme or before the Finance Advisory engagement begins. (Timeline: 3 months or 6 months)
Desirable Qualities
- Business Model
- Customer-centric understanding of target audience
- Documented revenue stream(s) and other financial metrics
- Clear business model backed by strategies for achieving KPIs
- Product/Service
- Minimum viable product (MVP) with good product-market fit
- Sustained momentum in customer growth and demand
- Management
- Driven and committed leadership team working full- time
- Equipped with relevant capabilities and expertise
- Team consists of more than one founder
- Social Impact
- Impact alignment with one or more of the UN SDGs
- Impact is fully integrated into core business practices
- Proxies for social and/or environmental impact are identified and measured
- Communication
- Prompt in responding to requests for information
- Easily contactable and willing to engage with BfE teams virtually throughout the programme
- Advisory Need
- Actionable problem statement with clearly articulated objective(s)
- Devised initial strategies to address the problem but faced challenges
Eligibility Criteria
- For-profit or non-profit social enterprise with existing revenue
- Early-stage business at the pre-seed or seed stage with plans to scale
- Legally established in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East
- Ability to create positive impact and reach long-term financial sustainability.
For more information, visit BfE.
