We’re doing it again! We’ve opened the Waiting List for the next cohort of the Green Venture Backers programme. Please read the details below;
Zidicircle and SNV (The Netherlands Development Organisation) Ghana have partnered to host the Green Venture Backers Programme whose main aim is to train aspiring angel investors both in #diaspora and in #Ghana on how to invest in Green startups and SME’s in Ghana. The programme was inaugurated on 22nd September 2021.
Through a 8 week Virtual programme, the investors receive training on how to start functioning as angel investors who invest either individually or collectively thus minimizing the risk. The training takes a very practical approach where participants have real case studies to evaluate and invest in from the Green project.
This programme is intended to help reduce the financing gap within the Green SMEs thus supporting sustainable growth, development and financial inclusion of green entrepreneurs through diaspora investment, mentorship and portfolio management.
This programme is solely focused on certain sectors in the Green Economy namely, Food & Agriculture, Renewable Energy and WASH(Water, sanitation, Hygiene)
As part of this program we want to bring together successful, motivated, and passionate professionals with a broad interest in the venture investing space who are driven to find and fund exceptional Green Entreprises from SNV and zidicircle’s cohorts from our incubation and acceleration programmes.
The programme will cover three thematic areas with 3 sub-topics per thematic areas as displayed below;
Costs
Due to our partnership with SNV Ghana, this programme is offered free of charge( Normally the cost is set at Euros 544.50|GHS 3828). The condition for a free programme is that the participant commits to invest a minimum of 1000 Euros post Training subject to finding the right investment fit. Investment can be spread over time.
All the due diligence and investment support will be provided post-training.
At the conclusion of this training programming, the venture backers will have broad latitude in identifying, evaluating, and engaging compelling investment opportunities. They will also be able to:
· Develop own investment strategy
· Draft a short investment memo (Term sheet)
· Select a small portfolio of Green SME’s currently under Incubation
· Make first Investments
· Make Cross border investments
· Become certified Angel Investors
Programme Dates:
We’ve had two cohorts since the programme was launched: the Inaugural Cohort which ran from 22nd September – 28th October 2022 and Cohort II which is currently in session from 6th April – 8th June 2022.
The next cohort (cohort III) will start in September 2022.
Qualifications & Requirements
Interested candidates should meet the following criteria:
· Have business or professional experience
· Have a strong interest in developing skills and experience as investors
· Be dedicated to change the current funding ecosystem
· Be able to dedicate approximately 2 hours per week for eight weeks for the program
· Be willing to invest in Ghana’s green sector
· Be ready to commit funds in first investments in any of the below ticket sizes; Euros 1000-5000, 5000-10,000, 10,000-50,000, 50,000-100,000.
Tip: Participants will be able to join our venture backers in other regions and become part of the Diaspora Investments Coop (a special investment vehicle)!
Only applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted.
Would you like to join as a collaborating partner? Please email info@zidicircle.com
Join the Waiting List for Cohort III.
SNV
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services. SNV focuses on three key sectors: agriculture, renewable energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). SNV has a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and is working in Ghana since 1992.
The GrEEn project is a four-year action from the European Union and its European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The project aims at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses and local climate-resilient economies in two regions in Ghana: Ashanti and Western. Within the GrEEn project, SNV is responsible for two result areas:
- Employability and entrepreneurship capabilities of youth, women and returnees are improved in selected sectors, for the benefit of green and climate-resilient local economies.
- SMEs, offering decent and sustainable jobs to youth, women and returnees, are incubated and/or accelerated and contribute to green and climate-resilient local economies.
Zidi B.V
Zidi B.V is a business incubator and Investments Advisory firm based in the Netherlands that is promoting inclusive entrepreneurship and Financing for the Diaspora Entrepreneurs in Europe & SME’s in Africa. Zidi does this by providing training, mentorship and Investments to diaspora entrepreneurs who partner with local SME’s in Africa. Zidicircle has headquarters in the Netherlands with entrepreneurship and investments chapters in Ghana, Kenya, Germany and has hosted diaspora entrepreneurs from 24 African countries. Zidi has been recognized by the European Union’s EMEN Project as one of the migrant-led initiatives that promote inclusive entrepreneurship in Europe Nominated by the European Women Payments & Fintech as Initiative of the Year (2018).
Zidi’s Venture Backers Programme is targeted at local and diaspora professionals who are interested in investing in SMEs in their home countries.
Diaspora Investments Coop
The Diaspora Investments Coop is a special purpose investment vehicle that enters into investment agreements with start-ups or small and medium-sized businesses as an investor for and on behalf of the venture backer who has decided to invest in the business concerned. The beneficial ownership from those investments lies with the investors.
The investment vehicle was initiated by an organised group of diaspora individuals from Zidi B. V’s Venture Backers programme and other professionals, entrepreneurs and like-minded international angel investors who want to reduce the knowledge, resources and funding gap for startups and small and medium businesses founded by underserved entrepreneurs who are driven by a positive impact on the environment, society and support the sustainable development goals (SDG’s).