Support for Early-Stage Businesses Grant

About this grant

AgDevCo, the Africa Agriculture Development Company, invites applications from potential investees with projects across the agricultural value chain in sub-Saharan Africa. The page describes its role as an investor rather than a conventional grant-maker, seeking businesses that can demonstrate commercial viability and long-term development impact. The row title refers to support for early-stage businesses, but the page itself frames the offer as investment against defined criteria rather than a grant programme with stated early-stage funding. Applications are assessed on merit against four core criteria: a proven business model (with a full business plan and financial operating history required for larger investments), a strong management team, potential for long-term growth, and potential positive impact on people, economies and the environment. Investments must also align with AgDevCo's Investment Policy and Procedures. AgDevCo requires potential investees to comply with applicable local and international laws and its Responsible Business Principles, and to work toward international environmental, social and governance good practice through a structured plan. Success is measured by commercial return and long-term transformational impact. Interested businesses are directed to contact the investment team at [email protected] to learn more about the investment process.

Eligibility

Potential investees must operate projects across the agricultural value chain, excluding tobacco and potable ethanol. Projects must be located in low or middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. AgDevCo may also invest in upper-middle income SSA countries such as South Africa where there is strong development impact, particularly with partners that intend to invest in other low and middle-income countries on the continent. Applicants must demonstrate a proven business model and, for larger investments, a full business plan and financial operating history, and must comply with applicable laws and Responsible Business Principles.

How it's scored

Applications are evaluated strictly on merit against investment criteria: proven business model (with full business plan and financial operating history for larger investments), strong management team, potential for long-term growth, and potential positive impact on people, economies and the environment, in line with the Investment Policy and Procedures. Success of investments is measured by commercial return and long-term transformational impact. No weightings or panel composition are disclosed.

Key requirements

• ✓Minimum investment size US$250,000 (unless rapid growth potential demonstrated)
• ✓Proven business model required
• ✓Primary focus on Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
• ✓Outside preferred countries requires partnership with established regional business

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Support for Early-Stage Businesses?

Eligibility covers organisations in GH, MW, MZ, RW, SL, TZ and 3 more countries; startup, sme, social-enterprise. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Regenerative agriculture funding supports soil health, cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry and grazing practices that store carbon and restore land. It comes through agricultural support schemes, research programmes and supply-chain initiatives run with food companies. Applicants often need farmer partners, field trial plans and a way to monitor soil outcomes.