develoPPP Ventures applicationApply now for catalytic funding for your start-up

The develoPPP application process is handled via two different platforms depending on the target country, where you can easily submit and manage your application. If your start-up is active in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria or South Africa, you can access the application platform OAP. If your start-up is active in Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda, please switch to the application platform VC4A.

The develoPPP Ventures call for applications takes place several times a year for six weeks at the end of a quarter. A new call for applications will be announced on the website prior to the start of the application window.

Your start-up must be privately owned and profit-oriented and must be registered in the target country or register there prior to the early-stage investment. Your business model has high development relevance and scalability and thus contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There must be proof of concept  and initial revenues must have been generated. You can find the full list of conditions of participation above.

Applications for develoPPP Ventures go through a multi-stage selection process. First, a selection is made on the basis of the application documents and pitches. The companies that are successful in this phase are then reviewed as part of the due diligence process, for which more detailed information is evaluated (i.e. the business plan including financial projections (for at least 5 years), annual financial statements, information on other investors).

The develoPPP Ventures funding is aimed at young companies that want to further expand their business model in the respective country. A legal entity must be registered locally by the time the contract is concluded at the latest. The funding contract can only be concluded with a local company. The funding is provided for the growth strategy in the respective country and is to be used in the country.

Business models that make a significant contribution to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are considered relevant to development. The services and / or products contribute to the ecological, economic and / or social development of the country.

develoPPP Ventures specifically funds new business ideas. Funding is not possible if an established market with competitors already exists. However, it may be that a market is already established in one or more industrialised countries, but no comparable products and / or services are yet available locally. Information on the market and competitors must be provided.

In order to achieve the highest possible and sustainable contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the funding is aimed at companies that have the potential to grow. Scalability is measured in particular by the existence of a large market potential and the fact that capacity expansion is associated with efficiency gains. For efficient growth, it must be possible to achieve Economies of Scale. At the same time, the total market size must be sufficient, i.e. potential demand must be high.

Your company must already be established and be able to present its first annual financial statement. You have a technical proof of concept and are generating first revenues from your operational activities. You are also able to convince other financiers of your business model.

develoPPP Ventures is a matching-funds model, i.e. investment capital of at least the same amount must be acquired in addition to the develoPPP Ventures funding. The capital is usually provided by angel investors, family and friends, impact investors, VC funds or by other capital providers. It could also be a fresh cash injection from the current shareholders. To some extent grants can be considered. The external capital does not necessarily have to be available before applying for develoPPP Ventures funding. However, it 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. Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and as long as the funds are still predominantly available for the develoPPP Ventures investment.

Depending on the country, develoPPP Ventures is implemented either by DEG Impulse gGmbH or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. You apply for funding in the desired country and are thereby automatically assigned to one of the two implementing partners.