Grant for Start-Ups in Africa 2018

The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund is looking for start-ups willing and able to work with mobile operators and projects which advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reach sustainable growth and improve the socio-economic impact. It aims to establish partnerships between mobile operators and start-ups in order to increase the reach of innovative mobile services to low-income citizens, test business models with the greatest potential for growth and impact in Asia-Pacific and Africa, and provide lessons and examples on the ways in which mobile is driving positive socio-economic change. Applicants must be committed to sharing project data with the program, reporting regularly on socio-economic impact and commercial performance, participating in lesson learning and experience sharing activities, providing demo material of the product or service, and participating in DFID, DFAT or other donors’ annual review process. The selection process depends on adequate financial systems to report regularly to the Fund, and adequate internal human resource capability to implement the proposed project within the planned timeframe. Throughout the 9-12 months of the grant, start-ups must demonstrate, report and verify they are promoting sustainable development outcomes in their community, market and/or region that will be tracked for up to 2 years after the end of the grant.

To be eligible to apply, start-ups must meet the following criteria:

[1] Use or be planning to use mobile technology strategically and have the will to form partnerships with mobile operators

[2] Have clear socio-economic impact, in particular: targeting low-income citizens, rural populations, women and/or youth

[3] Have active users and revenue in at least one market

[4] Be registered and operating in the country of project implementation

[5] Have 50% matching funding for the total grant amount; for instance, if a startup is requesting £200,000 from the fund, a contribution of at least £100,000 from other sources is required.

The following are also encouraged to apply:

[1] Start-ups that can demonstrate how they will advance the SDGs, for example, working on Education and Youth, Job Creation, Public Services, Smart Cities or the growth of local Micro Small and Medium Enterprises

[2] Female founders, and start-ups with good representation of women at all levels of the organization

[3] Local founders supporting local talent

[4] Start-ups that are using the following mobile technologies: Internet of things, USSD, SMS, IVR, Big Data Analytics and Mobile Money etc.

A funding between £100,000 and £250,000 is available, in addition to a bootcamp and regular offline clinics led by subject matter experts. The selected start-ups will also benefit from the exchange with other portfolio start-ups and networking opportunities with the program’s stakeholders.