Call for Applications

2015 Spark* International Social Enterprise Funding Opportunity for Changemakers

October 6, 2014

Applications close 5th November, 2014.
Spark Kenya: ACCELERATOR DATES: 16th – 22nd January 2015

Spark South Africa: ACCELERATOR DATES: 9th – 15th January 2015

Spark* finds and enables local Changemakers to launch and grow projects to improve the lives of people in extreme poverty.

Spark is looking for Kenya and South Africa’s best early stage social entrepreneurs.

Are you the founder of a social business or organisation that exists to help Kenyans living in poverty?

Is your social business or organisation in its early years and already making a difference for people?

Successful applicants will have access to world class entrepreneurship training, and up to three years of free legal, business, graphic design web and research support as well as the opportunity to access quick injections of funding for your ventures.

The Spark* Changemakers Program is a powerful opportunity for passionate South Africans/Kenyans who are at the early stages of building social businesses and organisations that exist to make a difference for people living in poverty. If you are successful in your application you:

– ATTEND THE CHANGEMAKERS ACCELERATOR – An intensive five day live-in workshop in Johannesburg/Nairobi where you join a small group of Spark* Changemakers and access world class social entrepreneurship training designed to help you focus your non-profit or business and accelerate the growth of your venture.

– ACCESS THE CHANGMAKERS SUPPORT NETWORK – Beyond the accelerator you receive ongoing training and support from Spark* International and we connect you to experts and professionals who can help you as you launch and grow your non-profit or social business.

Specifically we provide you with two years of access to graphic designers, website creators, business coaches, mentors, research assistants, lawyers and accountants (all super helpful for you as a social entrepreneur working to grow your venture). You also have the opportunity to continually apply for small grants (approximately 2000 – 2500 rand) to help you overcome barriers and test ideas to grow the impact or sustainability of your venture.

– ACCESS POWERFUL CONNECTIONS – Spark* is an official pipeline partner with a number of powerful organisations that can help you scale a proven social enterprise including Ashoka, Echoing Green and the Unreasonable Institute as well as impact investors to help you raise capital if you are a social enterprise. We can prepare you for these opportunities and make connections for you

For our 2015 intake, Spark Internationa are searching for 15 founders of social start-ups in Kenya and South Africa. Spark International will partner with the changemakers as they grow the impact of their project.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL:

Have already launched a social enterprise that is already making a difference in the lives of tens of people living in poverty.

Be the founder of that social enterprise.

Want to scale their social enterprise to impact many more people living in poverty.

Be individuals who can get things done, and they have proven this in the past.

Be massively passionate about improving the lives of people living in poverty in Kenya or South Africa.

Watch this video from our CEO about the program: http://youtu.be/XFvEOH9MPkM

Any questions – [email protected]

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