Investment Opportunities
We connect startups with angel investors, venture capital (VC) funds, and impact investors seeking high-growth opportunities. The Foundation plays a crucial role in introducing founders to investors aligned with their business goals.
Our Investment Programs Include:
Angel Investor Network: A platform that connects startups with angel investors interested in pre-seed or seed funding. Investment amounts typically range from €25,000 to €150,000.
Venture Capital Partnerships: We collaborate with leading venture capital funds to provide Series A or B funding. These investments target high-growth companies with proven traction and market demand, with amounts ranging from €500,000 to several million euros.
Impact Investment Funds: For startups focused on social, environmental, or community change, we facilitate connections with impact investors who prioritize projects aligned with their mission. These investors seek both financial returns and measurable positive impacts.
Investor Networking Program: Startups with high growth potential, notable innovation, and a solid business model can participate in this program. We connect them with investors based on their industry, funding stage, and objectives.
Evaluation and Decision:
Decisions will be communicated directly to the applicants. The granted grants will also be posted on the Foundation’s website.
Applications are open year-round, with two deadlines based on the requested amount:
- For requests up to €15,000: the 1st of each month (except July 1st and January 1st).
- For requests over €15,000: March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st.
Our goal is to process applications within two weeks following the deadline.
Project Grants
Grants may be awarded to projects that support the mission of the Africa Ascent Foundation.
Criteria: The grants focus on new projects that strengthen the startup ecosystem in Africa. These projects can be one-time initiatives or the beginning of a long-term program.
The impact of the projects will be assessed using a formula that considers the impact per person multiplied by the number of individuals involved. For example, a program for a small group with a strong individual impact can be considered as valuable as a large-scale event with less personalized content.
Loans
Our foundation collaborates with financial institutions to offer low-interest loans to startups in need of capital to grow their operations or enter new markets. These loans are tailored to meet the needs of high-potential startups.
Available Loan Types:
Microloans:
Loans ranging from $4,000 to $30,000 to meet short-term cash flow needs, product development, or hiring.
Development Loans:
Loans from $70,000 to $200,000 to support expansion efforts, such as strengthening teams or accessing new markets.
Equipment and Infrastructure Loans:
Specialized loans for industries like manufacturing, healthcare, or agritech, aimed at acquiring equipment or building physical infrastructure.
Eligibility Criteria:
Startups must provide a detailed business plan, financial forecasts, and demonstrate their repayment capacity. Preference is given to companies with scalable growth models and strong market fit.
How to Apply for a funding program
- Startups interested in any of these funding opportunities can submit their application through our website.
- We review applications on a rolling basis, with special consideration for companies that align with our mission of fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Applicants should be prepared to provide a detailed business plan, pitch deck, and financial projections.
The application must include:
- Open explanation on the project
- Tell us more about the project
- impact of the project
- Keep in mind the impact per person x number of people impacted formula
- You can also talk about your own qualitative or quantitative target
- Is this something that is needed in the African startup ecosystem
- A Project plan
- What are you planning to do, when, how, etc.
- Team
- Who is creating the project
- Budget for the project
- Project costs
- Other sources of funding
- If the project is continuous then include thoughts about where future funding will come from