Bridges for Enterprise opens Applications for Impact Startups in Africa

Applications are currently open to African impact startups for the Global Advisory Program.

The aim of the six-to-eight month program is to support African startups in scaling and empowering their local communities.

The initiative is backed by Bridges for Enterprise, a global non-profit organization that offers a multi-stage customized advisory program for startups in early-stage social enterprise across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

The program has supported over 70% of startups based in Africa having their purpose aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The program will be aiming to partner with African early-stage social entrepreneurs to scale.

Bridges for Enterprise is designed for pre-seed and seed-stage startups and it will be taking place virtually at no cost.

Selected participants are set to benefit as the program aims to open up access to premium services such as consulting and legal advisory.

Jordan Wolken, Global President of Bridges for Enterprise said, “Harnessing the power of private enterprise for social good has the potential to scale solutions more quickly than traditional non-profits can.

Oftentimes, non-profits are forced to focus heavily on fundraising at the expense of programme delivery because of their reliance on donors,”

He further explained that social enterprises aren’t forced to make a decision between choosing social returns and financial sustainability.

According to him, when African social impact embeds innovative products in their business model, they tend to achieve both social returns and financial sustainability.

Eligibility for participation

• You are a for-profit or non-profit social enterprise
• You are an early-stage startup at the pre-seed or seed stage
• You have an existing product or service and have started earning revenue
• Your business is legally established in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East
• You demonstrate a clear path to financial returns and social impact

NB: Social enterprise willing to participate must demonstrate:

• Innovative solution
• Proven results
• Positive impact
• Committed management

How to apply

African startups running a social enterprise can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for application is Saturday, May 1, 2021.

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