Wave Accelerator

About

SAID CATALYZE Ethiopia MS4G is designed to benefit the Ethiopian people, build community resilience, and strengthen rural-urban linkages in the areas of food security, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). MS4G invests in developing relationships with private sector players, co-investing in inclusive business models, advisory services, digital solutions, and market-based initiatives that increase the resilience and sustainability of Ethiopian enterprises and employment for women and youth. The project supports activities in Addis Ababa and the secondary cities of Ethiopia.

MS4G developed the concept of an accelerator program where selected early-stage companies will be provided with intensive training, coaching, and follow-up for a period of ten months through a selected accelerator/incubator company in partnership with Aqua for All.

The Wave Accelerator program focuses on growth-oriented early-stage businesses in the WASH sector in Ethiopia with a primary focus on Addis Ababa and secondary cities of Ethiopia.

Program objective

The objective of the “Wave Accelerator Program”, is to provide technical support to early-stage companies engaged in the WASH value chain with innovative and scalable business plans that contribute to workforce development, enterprise growth, and the digital economy in Ethiopia. The Acceleration Program will involve a 10-day structured curriculum and 10-month technical support. At the end of the program, the desired outcome of the accelerated early-stage companies are Jobs creation, enhanced Digital presence, Brand development, Increase in sales, Raised investment, Gaining an extensive network with major industry players, and Connection with a mentor for continuous support.

What we are looking for?

USAID CATALYZE Ethiopia: MS4G is looking for growth-oriented companies in the WASH sector with practical experience in the business to join the Wave Accelerator Program to accelerate their businesses in the area of job creation, digital presence, brand development, sales, capital raise, networking, etc.

If selected, you will join an exciting program that provides business development support through entrepreneurship workshops/ Bootcamp sessions, bi-weekly one-to-one mentorship sessions as well as technical advisory sessions from invited guest speakers, experts, and researchers. You will work alongside other early-stage companies in identifying your customers, developing a branding and marketing strategy, focusing on your value proposition, testing your product or prototype, refining your go-to-market strategy, developing your pricing and customer acquisition strategy, getting operation-ready, and developing.

your financial strategy and business plan and aligning your partners. Early-stage companies will also have marketing and promotion showcase opportunities through various networking platforms, exposure visits, and pitching to potential investors.

The accelerator program will start on December 5, 2022, for an intensive period of 7 months, up to the end of July 2023 (with 2 to 4 hours per week required attendance on-site).

Requirements

The companies we are looking for:

• Should have knowledge of relevant markets and trends.
• Should already be in the market with practical experience in their WASH business.
• Should have proof of legally registered documents of formation and establishment.
• Must be able to attend accelerator program activities 2 to 4 hours per week.
• Must be comfortable working and pitching in English.
• Women are encouraged to apply and preference is given to teams with female members.

Important dates

• Call for Application Opens – Wednesday, October 26, 2022
• Call for Application Closes – Friday, November 25, 2022
• Start of Accelerator Program – Thursday, December 15, 2022
• End of Accelerator Program – Monday, July 31, 2023

Once applications have been received, an initial shortlisting will take place. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to submit a longer version to expand on their original answers and to provide more information about their business. They will also be invited for a pitch presentation.