Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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€500,000 - €5million
I&P Education to Employment finances young companies, SMEs, and startups with legal status that operate in higher education, vocational training, or related activities. It supports businesses in 13 West and Central African countries through concessional and blended finance instruments including interest-free loans, equity, quasi-equity, grants, matching funds, and technical assistance. The typical ticket size is €500,000 to €5 million. Applicants must show a medium- to long-term path to financial viability and a focus on youth employability, digitalization, and/or social inclusion.
Financing
The program finances companies in the education ecosystem using concessional/blended finance tools including interest-free loan, equity, quasi-equity, technical assistance, grant, and matching funds.
Strategic support
An additional investment approach through a rigorous due diligence process and strategic support to strengthen the business model and ensure financial sustainability and scaling up of the funded companies.
Digitalization
Support companies in the effective deployment of their digitization strategy.
Social inclusion
Setting up mechanisms to ensure access to education for vulnerable youth, especially young women.
Safeguarding
Implementation of effective learner protection policies and practices.
Impact measure
Assessment and monitoring of the professional integration of graduates/beneficiaries.
Advocacy
Promoting knowledge sharing and dialogue among key players in the education sector.
EdTech and vocational training companies with clear path to employment outcomes.
Impact measurement support, ESG guidance, follow-on facilitation
Understand impact measurement requirements. Check if concessional terms have strings attached.
Applicants should present a clear business model with evidence of long-term financial viability and explain how their work improves young people’s professional integration. It will also help to show concrete plans on digitalization, access for vulnerable youth including young women, and learner safeguarding.
2017
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
Multiple portfolio companies