GreenWorks Program
Growth Acceleration Round 2023
About the Program
Nahdet El Mahrousa is pleased to announce the start of another growth acceleration round under the GreenWorks program.
The round aims to enable the growth of green scale-ups creating significant social impact in Egypt. The GreenWorks program aims to support green enterprises at the inflection point of their growth curve to help them speed up and sustain their growth through a tailored program that tackles their growth challenges and potential.
This round is designed specifically to support green scale-ups working to expand their businesses through improving/scaling-up operations and teams.
The program is supported by Hivos and implemented by Nahdet El Mahrousa.
Time left until deadline
Benefits and Services
This is a 8-month program that will work with a small cohort of promising startups, providing them with the following financial and non-financial services:
1
Customized need-based business and technical consultations focused on operations and supply chain management
2
Impact Investment Funding of up to 250,000 EGP that is asset and milestone based*
3
Business mentorship focused on growth strategies and value chain modeling
4
Project development and account management support offered by the NM incubator team
5
Access to financial, legal, HR and digital marketing consultations at discounted rates through NM’s Business Support Unit (BSU)
6
Tailored business and technical workshops around growth-stage related topics
7
Access to mentors and consultants in a wide range of domains
8
Access to relevant networks, opportunities and business linkages (incl. companies, experts, professional mentors, social entrepreneurs, funding entities, etc.)
*non-equity Impact Investment Funding: the ticket size is between LE 130-250k. Startups commit to designate the maximum percentage allowed by law in CSR contribution to Nahdet el Mahrousa for 7 years, or up to the same amount they received
Eligibility Criteria
The Team
1
Founders are Egyptian and are at least 2 members
2
At least 5 full-time employees (excluding founders)
3
At least two founders are working in the business full time
The Startup
1
Is operating in the green and clean sectors. Sub-sectors may include but are not limited to: waste management, sustainable energy and energy efficiency, food production, sustainable agriculture, waste-to-useful products, etc. Startups in the sectors of waste management and renewable energy are specifically encouraged to apply.
2
Has a mature business model that is delivering
3
Is delivering to customers, generating revenues, and is preferably profitable
4
Has a team of at least 5 contracted employees (preferably all are full-time but up to 2 contracted part-timers can be included)
5
Has been in business for at least 3-4 years, and has been registered for at least 2 years
6
Is able to create 20-30 full-time jobs
7
Is able to mobilize an amount equal to the one requested from the program in funding, self-financing, new contracts/business deals, matching investment, bank loans, etc.
Key Dates
Online application deadline |
One on one in depth meetings with semifinalists
Selection panel and final selection of 7-10 startups
Program kick off starting with needs assessments for each startup
How to Apply?
Fill in the application form (English or Arabic) and submit it before 11:59 PM on the 22nd of May 2023 (priority will be given to early applications).
For questions or further inquiries, please contact apply@nahdetelmahrousa.org
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About Nahdet El Mahrousa
Nahdet El Mahrousa (NM) is an Egyptian not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (NPO/NGO) that builds the capacities of organizations to improve and expand their social impact. It does so through a) an incubator program that supports social enterprsies from the idea stages all the way to the growth and scale up phases, b) a capacity building program for NGOs and other civil society organizations, and c) an entrepreneurs’ hub that offers business support services, coworking facilities, and a range of other services like trainings, workshops, events, and networking opportunities.
About Cleantech Arabia
Cleantech Arabia (CTA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance job creation, local economic development, and environmental protection in the Arab World. Cleantech Arabia designed its mechanisms along cluster development methodologies; it supports clean tech startups and MSEs, the surrounding ecosystem of supporting entities and service providers, as well as markets at large. Cleantech Arabia acts as a catalyst of clean technology markets and clusters.
About HIVOS and GreenWorks
Hivos was founded in 1968, inspired by humanist values. Our founders held the conviction that development work should be secular, as true cooperation presumes respect for differing beliefs. In our first ever brochure, our founders wrote that “necessary changes should spring from communities themselves – from people at the base of society.” These convictions are still reflected in our work.
The Green Works programme’s alliance aims to help create greater economic opportunities for young women and men between the ages of 15 and 35 within the “Green Economy.” The program enables young adults to find a decent job in economies that are low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. These “green” economies are expected to continue growing and will require young people to have new skills that are not covered by traditional education systems. In order to ensure that these economies are expanding in North Africa and that there is an adequate value chain supporting their growth, Hivos is stimulating the formation of innovation clusters that are feeding these economies with viable business solutions.