Application Deadline: February 28th, 2023 – 11:59 p.m. (GMT+1) Nigeria
The Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) programme identifies through a highly competitive process enterprises from developing countries that have developed at-scale products and services that contribute to the SDGs while achieving commercial success and are committed to embed impact considerations into decision-making. By showcasing and supporting these ventures, UNDP aims to bring forward evidence of the existence of pipelines of investable ventures that can advance the transition to SDG-aligned investment in developing countries.
The programme is based on the findings emerged from the Nigeria SDGs Investor Map, a market intelligence tool designed to help private investors (funds, financiers, corporations) identify investment opportunities areas and business models that advance the SDGs. The SDG Investor Map of Nigeria revealed market insights around five sectors aligned with the national development needs and policy priorities of the country, where private capital can make a difference to people and planet.
Eligibility Requirements
. Geographic criteria: This Call for Nominations aims to promote the development of the private sector in Nigeria. Only ventures with substantial operations in Nigeria, with a management team and workforce primarily based in Nigeria and providing products and services mostly in Nigeria and other African countries, are eligible.
2. Business model criteria: Eligible ventures, which should be seeking partners (technical, financial, or other) to grow, will be evaluated according to a business model criteria covering their impact, financial record, investment, innovation, team profile and scalability. The criteria are listed in detail in the Call for Nominations document at the top of this page.
3. Thematic criteria: The programme aims to identify and aggregate a pool of partnership and investment-ready enterprises within the sectors that help advance the SDGs in the country. Only enterprises operating in one of the following seven sectors will be considered for the selection process: Food & Agriculture, Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy, Infrastructure, Technology and Communication, Health Care, Consumer Goods and Services.
Benefits
- Ventures selected as finalists will be endorsed by UNDP and will receive capacity building and trainings to improve their impact management and to enhance their investment readiness and core business areas.
- Additionally, finalists will be given exposure and be directed towards opportunities for accessing financing from among the network of partners of the GSIV, including UNCDF’s funding mechanisms.
- Moreover, UNDP will extend to all finalist ventures an invitation to attend and pitch their solution during a UNDP event the International Investment Forum organized in collaboration with the Impact Investment Foundation in Nigeria, in late 2023. This will be an occasion to meet the investor community and discuss partnerships and investment opportunities.
Nomination Process:
- Nominations are made by third parties, namely entities that have, or had in the past, a working relationship with the nominated enterprise. This might include accelerators, impact funds, family offices, international organizations, development banks, governments, NGOs, among others.
- Self-nomination by enterprises is not accepted, however we encourage third parties to complete the nomination form in
cooperation with the nominated venture, to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
How to nominate ventures for the GSIV programme?
1. Call for nominations: Download here the Call for Nominations describing the details of the programme and the eligibility criteria.
2. Nomination form: To nominate impact ventures committed to the achievement of the SDGs, click here and fill out the form. Nominations should be submitted in English.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNDP Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) for the SDG 2023