NTF V Tech – Calling for Tech Startups – 2023

The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) program is based on a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands and the UN International Trade Centre (ITC) and runs from July 2021 till June 2025. The program supports the digital technologies and agribusiness sector in Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, and the digital technologies sector in Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali and Uganda. Activities for tech start-ups will focus on equipping them with (individual) business coaching, investment readiness, internalization support, digital marketing strategies, attendance at (inter)national tech events, linkages to international business and investment opportunities and more!

We recruited a first cohort of tech start-ups in January 2022 and are now recruiting new tech start-ups to join our existing NTF V cohorts in Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda. The selected start-ups will be segmented based on their level of maturity and will benefit from the following services according to their categorization:

1. Growth Stage: post-revenue, targeting new markets, new products
2. Entrepreneurship Stage: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) confirmed, customer acquisition and retention ongoing

A start-up can move from Entrepreneurship to Growth during the program. Below the introduction section is explained what each group will receive in terms of support.

Who can participate

As an eligible tech start-up, you have to:

• Use digital technology as a core enabling factor (e-commerce is included)
• Be for-profit – but you can also have a social impact – mention it in your application!
• Your startup is up and running and generates sales
• Be established in Ethiopia, Ghana or Uganda.

Bonus: (1) the business is women led, (2) the business model revolves around environmental sustainability (clean tech, green tech, climate tech etc.)

* A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a product with basic features, but enough to get the attention of the consumer and to provide a feedback loop to guide future development

The selection process

• The submitted information will be assessed by local and international experts contracted by ITC. Applications and all company-related information including financials will be treated with STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY.
• After a first selection is made, 360Diagnostics interviews will be held with each start-up to determine categorization into Entrepreneurship or Growth.
• Partner organizations will be involved in the promotion process of the call for application, but not in the selection process itself, which will be handled by ITC.
• KNOCK-OUT criteria: The start-up is not eligible for NTF V if it does not rely on technology as a core enabling factor. Start-ups that provide incorrect information in the call for applications can be excluded or re-categorized.

Deadline

Ghana – 4 April 2023 midnight
Ethiopia –  Opens soon
Uganda –  10 April 2023 midnight

Get in touch

If you have questions or want to report problems with the form, please contact Mr. John Ndabarasa (jndabarasa@intracen.org) or Mr. Martin Labbé (labbe@intracen.org).
Thank you!