Young people having a conversation

The next call for applications opens on May 15

develoPPP VenturesGrowth funding for innovative start-ups with development impact

develoPPP Ventures is aimed at young companies, whose innovative business model improves living conditions in a developing or emerging country and who are planning to scale up. Via a matching-funds model, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides a grant of 100,000 euros for suitable growth investments.

Is your start-up pursuing a high impact business model in a developing or emerging economy and has already successfully mastered the formation phase? Then find out now about the opportunities for growth funding through develoPPP Ventures.

Globe with pin

Available in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania – other countries to follow

Euro sign

100,000 euros grant financing for investments to scale

Stacked coins

50 percent funding of the total investment

With develoPPP Ventures funding, the BMZ is supporting young companies that are already active in a developing or emerging economy and whose business model contributes to sustainable local economic, ecological and social development. The aim is to scale innovative solutions in order to make them accessible to more people. Therefore, it is important that the proof of concept has already been achieved and first revenues have been generated. Funding the start-up phase via develoPPP Ventures is not possible.

The BMZ supports the scaling of suitable business models with a grant of 100,000 euros if your company manages to acquire matching funds from other sources of at least the same amount. In addition, your start-up will receive local technical support. Women-led start-ups and start-ups promoting gender equality are especially encouraged to apply.

develoPPP Ventures is available in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania with additional countries to follow.

Funding decisions on specific investment projects are made via a regular develoPPP Ventures call for applications. Start-ups that are registered in the target country or that plan to register there before the start of the funding are eligible to participate. Funding is provided exclusively for business expansion in the respective country and must be invested locally. A prerequisite for funding is that the start-up phase has already been completed and initial revenues have been generated. In addition, your company must:

  • be privately owned and profit-oriented
  • have a viable business and financial plan
  • be able to provide at least one annual financial statement
  • convince other financiers of its business model (matching funds)
  • not have acquired more than a maximum of €2 million in funding to date
  • have high growth potential and reach break-even within a maximum of three years
Carolin Welzel
Carolin Welzel Senior Consultant Agency for Business & Economic Development
Hans-Joachim Hebgen
Hans-Joachim Hebgen Senior Consultant Agency for Business & Economic Development
Daniel Thomann
Daniel Thomann Head of Programme DEG Impulse gGmbH
Kathinka Kurz
Kathinka Kurz Head of Programme Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH