SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2022 – Francophone

The Investment Readiness Program offers:

Online training structured around several key themes in the development of startups (management and governance of young companies, economic study, methodical development of business plans, finances, and financing tools, the constitution of a financing file, essential elements of negotiation with an investor…etc).

Weekly sessions of personalized coaching, advice, and mentoring tailored to the specific and individual needs of each startup, during which strategies and measures for rapid growth will be developed and implemented with the startups.

Access to additional premium services; depending on the start-up’s commitment and performance, additional services will be offered to optimize certain key areas (e.g.. legal advice, online marketing, digital product optimization, design, coding…etc).

Integration into a local hub in order to facilitate contact with major players in the local startup scene.

Access to the GIZ-SAIS network: the program coordination team, based in Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany, will facilitate access to investors and business partners of the GIZ-SAIS network. In addition, the program will help selected startups to improve their visibility and network nationally and internationally through participation in national, regional, and international events dedicated to African entrepreneurs.

Please note: The Investment Readiness Programme will be held entirely in French.

• March 2022: Meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for the launch of the program. Depending on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting may be held online.
• March 2022 – December 2022: Coaching and individual support for startups.
• August 2022: Mid-term evaluation meeting in Bonn, Germany, and study trip to Paris, France.
• December 2022: Presentation of successful startups to investors and closure of the Program.
• January 2023: Master Class for the 2 best startups in the program.

The GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Program is aimed at entrepreneurs who have developed and brought to market a digital product that solves a specific problem in the agricultural and agrifood value chains. Applicants must meet the following conditions:

Criteria

Legal form
– The startup must be registered and operate in at least one of the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tunisia.
– A certificate of registration will be requested.

Team (Founders)
– The startup must have a founding team of at least two people.
– The management team should be highly motivated and work for the startup, ideally full time.
– The management team should have entrepreneurial and technical experience in their area of ​​operation.

Digital product/service
– The startup must have a viable digital product that has a positive impact on the incomes of its users.
– The product must be aligned with one of the digital technologies listed below.

Market access and traction
– The startup must have launched its digital product at least six months before the application period.
– Startups must provide evidence of good traction (based on customers, earliest incomes).

Business model
– The startup should have an easily understandable and very convincing business model (clear statement of the problem, clear digital solution, clear customer segment, and clear revenue stream).

You can apply to the program if your innovation is in one of the following categories or technologies.

Technologies

Internet of things, application (mobile), search engine, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, virtual / augmented reality, 3D printer, robotics, digital learning software (online training system, MOOC platform, open educational resources), database, information management system, monitoring and control system, geographic information system (GIS)/mapping, SMS services, web platform, social media, data analysis system

Application Domain

Strengthening of the digital expertise and IT skills of actors in the agricultural value chain (e-skills), online training (e-learning), precision agriculture, market access, access to finance, digital payment, management of agricultural value chains, logistics and transport, e-commerce, food delivery, animal health, plant and crop health, soil fertility

1. Please apply online before January 31, 2022, by clicking on the “apply” button above.

2. Use the application form provided and upload a short introductory video (2 minutes maximum) via an unlisted YouTube link (i.e. hidden from the public).

• • The video should clearly present the problem you want to solve and how your digital product is helping to solve it.
  • Please structure your video as follows: The problem you are tackling, the digital technology you are applying, the current number of customers, and examples of positive impact on their revenues, growth prospects and expectations of the SAIS program.

Please provide all the information requested in order to avoid your exclusion during the pre-selection process.

Selection process overview

• Monday, January 31, 2022: End of the online application process at noon, Paris time.
• From February 8 to 11, 2022: Interviews with shortlisted start-ups.
• Wednesday, February 16, 2022: Online boot camp with the fifteen best startups selected.
• Monday, February 28, 2022: Final virtual pitch (the evaluation will be done by community vote and by a jury of experts)

If you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, please contact us by email at SAIS@giz.de.