Getting Investors

NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI) 

Can your startup create ground-breaking, tech-enabled solutions in your industry? If the answer is yes, submit your application to NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 2.0). Up to US$220,000 to be won in prizes and an all expense paid training programme in Silicon Valley, USA. NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI) is sponsored by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to bolster innovation in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, and support homegrown solutions that can drive socio-economic development.  NPI is designed to encourage and support ingenuity within the digital ecosystem and fund early-stage, growth driven solutions, with the aim of driving transformative economic growth, enhancing the nation’s productive capacity, and creating jobs.  The programme is a multi-year commitment by the NSIA to empower budding Nigerian innovators, in a bid to catalyse the rise of the digital economy. The Programme will adopt a four-staged competition at the end of which ten (10) finalists will emerge and win varied prizes. NSIA Prize for Innovation Programme Stages Pre-selection Stage: Innovators submit their applications through the application portal to provide details regarding their digital products/services and business models. Accelerator Stage: The top 100 finalists will participate in a one-month virtual training, followed by an in-person bootcamp for the top 25 finalists. A mini demo day will be held to select the top 10 finalists that will proceed to the demo day. Demo Day: Each of the 10 finalists will be allotted timeslot to present their pitch to the judges. The judging panel will review the submission and rank the winners from 1st to 10th. The event will be attended by a combination of local and foreign technology industry experts and investors. Post Demo Day: The top 10 finalists will participate in an all expense paid, 5-weeks in-person training programme at a top-rated US university in Silicon Valley and also have an opportunity to pitch to angel investors to secure additional funding and obtain global exposure! BONUS: Exclusive chance to secure additional investment and global exposure by pitching to angel investors! Application Requirements 1. One of the founders must be a Nigerian Citizen 2. Applicants must be 18 years or older 3. Applicants must be running Innovative tech-focused or tech-enabled startups 4. The startup should have operated for not less than six months and operating in or within Nigeria 5. The startup should be looking to raise a seed round 6. The startup should have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) 7. Applicants must be willing and able to commit to a 10-week fast-track accelerator programme 8. Only one application is permitted per applicant irrespective of the sector. Subsequent applications will be disqualified. NSIA Prize for Innovation Target Sectors The programme will focus on technology-enabled startups in the following sectors: For more information, click here. Apply here on or before March 3, 2024.

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Understanding the 30-Second Elevator Pitch

What is a 30-Second Elevator Pitch? The 30-second elevator pitch gets its name from the average length of an elevator ride, emphasising the need to quickly and effectively communicate your message within a short timeframe. Crafting a compelling elevator pitch is crucial to capturing someone’s attention and making a lasting impression in the business world.  The elevator pitch concept originated from the idea that professionals should be able to concisely present their ideas or business proposals in the time it takes to ride an elevator. It was popularised in the business world as a way to efficiently communicate one’s value proposition and generate interest in a short amount of time. Today, it is widely used in networking events, job interviews, and entrepreneurial pitches to succinctly convey key information and leave a memorable impact on the listener.  Creating a 30-Second Elevator Pitch Be Brief: By breaking complex ideas into a concise and engaging one, you can capture the attention of your audience and effectively communicate the value you bring. A successful elevator pitch should highlight the unique selling points or competitive advantages of the idea or business. Be Clear: A clear and concise message ensures that the main idea is easily understood, while strong storytelling captivates the listener and makes the pitch more engaging. By highlighting unique selling points, individuals can differentiate themselves from competitors and leave a lasting impression on their audience.  Prioritise Relevance: An effective elevator pitch should leave a lasting impact on the listener, making them remember and think about the pitch long after it is delivered. The pitch should be relevant to the needs and interests of the audience, addressing their pain points and offering a solution that they can relate to. This is crucial in capturing the attention and interest of potential clients or investors. Conclusion  In conclusion, crafting an effective elevator pitch requires careful consideration of the lasting impact it will have on the listener and its relevance to their needs. By incorporating these elements, you can greatly enhance your chances of capturing the attention and interest of potential clients or investors, ultimately leading to a successful outcome for your pitch.  Ready to elevate your pitching game? Download two FREE chapters of “The Art of Pitching” and gain invaluable insights that will transform your approach to pitching. Also Read: How to Build Your 60-Second Elevator Pitch

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BATN Foundation Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant 2023

The Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant is an Agricultural Entrepreneurship grant designed to support young people with viable agri-Business with equity-free capital and other associated support they may require to scale their businesses. The project is an initiative developed and sponsored by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in partnership with NYSC and implemented by FATE Foundation. It is targeted at currently serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members – as part of BATNF’s drive to encourage and support the youth in sustainable agriculture. Curriculum Overview of the Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant The programme is a virtual programme focused on capacity building on essential knowledge, strategies, skills, and tools to build sustainable businesses within the Agribusiness value chain. These sessions will be facilitated by various industry leaders and professionals across the Agribusiness and entrepreneurship ecosystem using a pedagogy approach to build networks amongst the entrepreneurs and encourage group/team work for better learning. The robust learning structure is a combination of virtual interactive class sessions, workshops, case studies, plenary sessions and group activities. The Farmers for the Future (F4F) curriculum has been designed to provide insight and relevant knowledge to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs within the Agribusiness value chain to see diverse market potentials and understand how to create a structured business model to strategically grow their business. The Curriculum is intensive and includes: Application Process for the Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant Stage I: Interested applicants must complete the application form here and upload the following document: Stage II: Following a review of all received applications, 50 candidates will be shortlisted for a 10-20 minutes phone/video interview, after which 20 applicants will be shortlisted for the programme. Through the support of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, the programme is FREE to all entrepreneurs who successfully scale through the two application stages. This scholarship support from the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation covers all direct course fees, including course materials, data support and post-programme support. This is a virtual training and it is expected that each entrepreneur enrolled for the programme must be Corp members in the Agribusiness space with less than 3 months to conclude their service year. This will also be verified during the shortlisting/selection process. Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant Post Programme Benefits Benefits of the Programme 10 Million in Cash and business support. Top six (6) finalist will win an equity-free grant of NGN 10 million. Click here for more information. Apply here on or before August 30, 2023.

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GEC+ Africa Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions 

The GEC+ Africa 2024 entrepreneurship regional pitching competitions aim to bring in startups and SMMEs from across the continent to showcase their businesses. This will be an opportunity to highlight Africa’s innovative startups / SMMEs and a platform to strengthen each country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Applications are open to: Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a bootcamp which will be in preparation ahead of the pitching competitions taking place in their respective countries. The final pitch of the GEC+ Africa 2024 Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions will have an audience consisting of investors and Entrepreneur Support Organisations from all over the continent. The top 3 winners will share a prize of $50 000 and will have an opportunity to join an accelerator programme post the congress. Assessment Criteria for GEC+ Africa 2024 Entrepreneurship Pitching Competitions Applicants whose pitch decks are deemed suitable will be invited to pitch to judges during the lead up activity. The below criteria will serve as a broad guideline in assessing the applicants when they present their businesses to the adjudicators: 1. The Problem Statement: has the entrepreneur(s) clearly identified the problem they are looking to solve and who this problem affects? Is the problem big enough i.e., does it point to a sizeable growing target market? 2. Value Proposition: Is the proposed solution distinct from the current solutions in the market? Does it have a clear competitive advantage? 3.The Business Case: Is the business model viable in how it intends to make money alongside its value proposition? Is this business model sustainable? Does the business have a clear strategy? 4. Team Composition: Is the team skilled and capable enough of executing on the product/service delivery and its business model? 5. The Minimum Viable Product: How effectively does the MVP showcase the value proposition? Does the MVP provide a robust foundation for further development and scaling? 6. Overall Quality of the Pitch: Was a pitch deck submitted? Was the entrepreneur prepared in their presentation and in answering questions? For more information, click here. Click here to apply.

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Storytelling Strategies for Accessing Funding

It’s the beginning of the second quarter of 2023. If you didn’t achieve your business goals in the first quarter, don’t stress over them. We understand that one of the things that might have hindered you from achieving your goals is funding. To help you access funding for business growth, we spoke with Sarah Ogbewey, founder of A Woman’s Heart Foundation and an alumna of FATE Foundation. Through excellent grant writing, she has secured funding from the United States Embassy and Diplomatic Missions, and other grantmakers. So, how do you tell a story to potential investors? How do you get the buy-in of these funders? Let’s dive in. 1. Tell a relevant story So, this is my technique. I look at my life to find what I have that could be relevant as a story. Once you tell someone what happened in your locality, it’s foreign to them. They would want to read and know more. One easy way is to look inwards and say: what have I gone through that can be related to this? Before winning my first grant, my laptop was stolen, so I had to report it at the police station. Through my interactions with the police, I had a story to tell, and I included this while writing the grant proposal, which was police-security based. Narrating your experience shows funders that you’ve experienced the problem you’re proposing to solve. If you don’t have a related story to tell, you can always research and tell the story of another. 2. Get a partner Getting a trustworthy partner makes things easier as you compensate for each other’s weaknesses. If you don’t know how to write or have never written before, look out for people with this complementary skill. However, that doesn’t negate the fact that you can try. You can try your hands on it, then ask someone to proofread it. 3. Dot your I’s and cross your T’s As an entrepreneur, you must dot your I’s and cross your T’s. You shouldn’t say, oh! I’m a good storyteller and expect to wow your audience. In the long run, you won’t be an entrepreneur with a long-lasting impact. In 2019, I designed a waste management project that used art to get the attention and participation of the target audience. The British Council supported the event and it went well. I didn’t plan to sell tickets, but someone suggested it, so, I made the package. When that finished, I chatted with a friend who turned out to be a potential investor. He asked me straight-forward questions because investors want to know what’s in it for them. He said; how many tickets did you sell, Sarah? I think I said two (2). Although he didn’t invest right away, I didn’t give up on what I was doing. I kept being in the development space, designed programmes from learnings, designed potential waste energy solutions and attended the Orange Corners Nigeria (OCN) programme implemented by FATE Foundation. Now, we’re working on a larger project together. So I guess, it’s me telling the right stories overtime, either through WhatsApp or other social media channels. Your story should guide your listeners and your viewers through your growth journey. Apparently, I must have guided him, especially through my LinkedIn page. He must have thought, “this person is still doing this, she’s probably so resilient. I’ll invest, even though she sold two tickets last time.” 4. Research and explore new things Try out new things! If you stay in a particular box, even your speech becomes monotonous. Experience different things, so you can put your thoughts together to tell a great story when an opportunity comes. Conversely, you can surf the Internet to learn new things and acquire relevant knowledge. An entrepreneur should develop a culture for research. It doesn’t have to be deep, scientific research, it just has to be a thirst for learning new things. 5. Use data to validate your story A story is qualitative; helps draw in the mind of your listener and paint a picture. You can start your introduction with a relevant, catchy story and use data to either prove or disprove the story. Bonus points: When pitching your products or services, embody your solution. Carry it and let people see it in you. For written ones, keep it short and straight to the point. Also read: Asking Potential Investors the Right Question; What Investors Look for in a Start-up.

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Climate Finance Accelerator Nigeria: Call for Proposals

The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) is a global technical assistance programme funded by the UK government to directly support climate projects to access finance. In Nigeria, the CFA brings together the key actors in the climate finance investment chain: project proponents and developers, finance providers, and policymakers. The aim of this accelerator is to facilitate a collaborative approach to unlocking finance for climate projects at scale and creating a pipeline of ‘investment ready’ low carbon projects. The CFA also seeks to deliver several co-benefits, such as supporting a just transition and green recovery efforts from COVID-19 through inclusive approaches to sustainable development, improved gender equality, and building resilience to climate impacts. Benefits of the Climate Finance Accelerator Eligibility Requirements Deadline for application is: February 17, 2023. For more information on Climate Finance Accelerator Nigeria, click here, and/or apply for the Accelerator using this link.

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How Start-ups can Conduct Business Pitching for Solid Closing

What does Business Pitching Entail? Business pitching means presenting a company’s concepts to another person. As an illustration, you might introduce your fledgling company to possible investors or your items to prospective clients. To get buy-in, a business pitch must clearly explain your strategy or objectives to the audience. Your goods and business are the subjects of your pitch. It is important to note that sharing your concept is never too early. You must always be prepared to make a pitch that’ll make potential stakeholders (investors or customers) interested your company. A pitch is a speech intended to persuade an audience to take a certain action. Your idea dictates its purpose and likely outcomes to anticipate. So the following reasons for a pitch are: To attract early adopters that will use your service To attract investors and/or partners who can help grow your company To request funding Types of Pitches Today, it is not uncommon that investors lack the patience and time to listen to traditional pitches where you reel off all the benefits of your product and then make a “great deal” to close. Here are the various types of business pitches: One-word Pitch: It is important that a word reflects your brand. It is a keyword that summarises the concept of your product or business. It can also give clarity to a first-time hearer about your products/services. This keyword is often coined from the mission, vision, goals, unique point or even the solution offered. Elevator Pitch: This is your go-to pitch for networking events, social media, and elevator rides with potential clients. Every salesperson is expected to have an elevator pitch, allowing you to discuss your product and company’s fundamentals within 30 to 60 seconds. In your speech, you should focus more on the why of your solution. This presents the concept of your product and company more persuasively. Investor Pitch: Here is a speech that describes the issues you hope to address as part of your investor pitch. You should not use industry jargon when presenting; it is exclusively for your pitch deck. In an investor pitch, you describe what you do, the level of business maturity, the size of the market, and your partners. If you can create a large company, investors will be interested. Customer Pitch: In contrast to investors, customers are looking for the problems that your product and business can help them solve. Get them to talk more about the issue than you do, and only then can you determine the appropriate remedy. Presentations can contain industry terminologies because it is considered that the audience is aware of the market. Follow-up Pitch: Here’s a reminder of a concept you’ve already pitched to a listener who hasn’t yet lived up to your expectations. This needs to be handled respectfully and with courtesy. A postal pitch or a cold phone pitch can be used to follow up with an investor or a client. Presenting a Pitch Firstly, when giving a pitch, begin with a short, friendly introduction and a memorable slogan to pique the audience’s interest. Note that you should keep your opening slide above to capture the investors’ attention. In an investor pitch, you should discuss a problem your business or idea addresses, whereas in a customer pitch, you should allow the customer explain their issue. Tell a story to raise thoughts, and then use pertinent data and facts to convince them of your plan (s) to resolve the issue. Furthermore, explain your approach to the audience, outlining the functions of your concept and testing processes. Use visuals to depict your product/service. These could be videos, images, or screenshots. Remember that businesses are not without rivals, but your unique selling point offers you an advantage in convincing your listener that your solution is the best one. Moreover, when making a pitch to an investor, describe your business model to demonstrate that you have a sound strategy for generating income. Your traction is a crucial component of your pitch because it details your past successes. Telling your investor how you intend to expand goes a step further. This demonstrates your maturity and where you see your firm going in terms of attracting customers. Conclusion You definitely do not want to waste your opportunity to close by being unprepared. Before pitching your business to prospective stakeholders, it is critical that you assess your level of readiness. Here’s what you should do below: ➢ Examine your pitch pattern to make sure it’s standard ➢ Improve your confidence level ➢ Memorise and practice your pitch ➢ Learn to focus on keywords to manage your time ➢ Have short versions of your pitch. ➢ Pair your story with a visual document called a pitch deck In your pitch session, sell your solution evidently to potential customers, investors and/or partners.

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The Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global Funding

The Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global program is an eight-month program that inspires, equips, and empowers youngsters from all over the world to establish or build up social companies in Singapore and beyond. YSE Global has been nurturing a network of young people with creative company ideas since 2010. Centered on social good In collaboration with seasoned social entrepreneurs, We harness the power of ideas as business consultants and investors. know-how and resources to make a good difference in the world Do you want to grow your social enterprise? Submit your application today if you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and have a viable and creative commercial solution to a social issue. Gain access to a global ecosystem of investors, industry experts, seasoned mentors, and a growing network of over 1,300 young changemakers from 42 countries. Leading social innovation ideas and industry insights from the region will inspire you. Shortlisted teams will be given the opportunity to grow up their social enterprises with funding of up to S$20,000. With YSE Global 2022, you can make a bigger difference! Applications will be accepted from February 14 through April 24, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (GMT +8). APPLY HERE

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Investor (as well as Startups) Beware

The bright red flags most people miss Here are red flags investors should be aware of when investing in a startup and red flags startups should be aware of when accepting investors’ funding. For Investors beware of  Startups that have many members on the founding team. This implies that there are a lot of people who already have equity in the startup and too many voices Startups that have high overhead and low-profit margins because it is an indication of a lack of sustainability and scalability Founders that have full-time jobs outside of the Startup because the startup might be a hobby or an entity not receiving attention. At the same time, beware of founders who have no other source of income apart from the Startup because your investment could be used to bankroll their lifestyle Startups whose early investors have not or are not participating in additional investment rounds because it implies the Startup did not deliver on its promises or the early investors do not see a future for the Startup For Startups beware of  Investors who offer smaller ticket sizes but want larger equity. In addition to you receiving less funding, these investors devalue your Startup which will affect you in all your other funding rounds Investors who have over 1x liquidation multiplier in their term sheets. When a Startup’s exit is lower than the valuation, the investor gets their full initial investment back if you have a 1x liquidation multiplier, above 1x implies the investor wants more than their full investment back which leaves the Startup at a greater loss Investors who want Participating Preferred Stocks. When a Startup’s exit is higher than their valuation, shareholders will receive additional cash (in addition to their initial investment) which is based on the equity they have in the Startup. This means for example if the investor invests 5Million for 50% equity, and the Startup’s exit was 25Million, the investor will their 5Million back in addition to 10Million (50% of the balance from exit fund) leaving the Startup with 10Million only Investors who are non-responsive; who go AWOL during the process and come back with heightened interest. Sounds too good to be true! This ends our Investor and Investment series, you can go to our profile for more related articles www.msmehub.org/author/busola-boyle-komolafe/.    Contact Versa Research your trusted data, research & consulting partner! References https://carta.com/blog/how-to-choose-investors-for-your-startup/ https://carta.com/blog/watch-out-for-these-terms/ https://techpoint.africa/2019/11/05/red-flag-nigerian-investor/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgedeeb/2017/01/03/16-red-flags-for-startup-investors/?sh=2606c1e1390a

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Asking Potential Investors the Right Question

We have shared with you tips on how to get investment ready, how to select the right investors; and now we will share with you questions you should be asking potential investors before you take their money.  Here are 15 questions you should be asking your potential investors  What types (or focus sectors) of companies have they invested in, in the past? What kind of support do you provide to these companies? What kind of investments (in terms of value and round) do you provide?  How many investments have you made in a company? Do you typically lead investment rounds? Or do you prefer to co-invest? How many investment rounds have you led? How long does it take to close? What is the first thing we need to do after closing? What do you expect from us going forward if you invest in our company? Will you be personally involved in the company? What metrics would you be tracking? How often would we be required to provide progress reports? What is your most successful investment? Are you willing to share the contact information of 2-3 companies you have invested in? These are questions that should guide your decision-making on whether the investor is the right fit for your company and for you. But most importantly make sure you listen to your gut feeling and ask any other questions that arise from within.  Contact Versa Research your trusted data, research & consulting partner! References https://www.forbes.com/sites/alejandrocremades/2019/02/21/20-questions-entrepreneurs-should-ask-investors/?sh=1c1988d97670

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