develoPPP Ventures – DEG/BMZ Startup Funding in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda)

Enriched bilateral · Found: 2026-05-06 16:15

develoPPP Ventures provides grant financing (EUR 100,000) to startups in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda with innovative, development-oriented business models. The idea competition runs several times per year for 6-week windows. Includes technical support and strategic advice for sustainable financing and business planning.

Source: https://www.degimpulse.de/programm/developpp-ventures

Funding Details

Funder

KfW DEG (Development Finance Institution)

Funding Goal

Provide grant financing to startups in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda (via DEG Impulse) or in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa (via GIZ) with innovative, development-oriented business models that improve living conditions locally. Supports scaling and growth investments for early-stage companies with demonstrated revenue.

Funding Amount

EUR 100,000 grant per startup (up to 100.000 €)

Deadline

2026-05-15 (periodic)

How to Apply

Next call starts 15 May 2026. Competition runs for 6-week windows several times per year (quarterly). Applications submitted via VC4A platform (partner of DEG Impulse). Evaluated using transparent criteria; shortlisted applicants undergo on-site due diligence before a grant contract is offered. Technical support and strategic advice also provided.

Target Region

Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda (DEG Impulse); Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa (GIZ)

Contact

Contact form at degimpulse.de/kontakt; investor page at degimpulse.de/en/developpp-ventures-investor-page

Last Checked

2026-05-07 00:20

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Startup must be registered (or plan to register) in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda (DEG track) or Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa (GIZ track)
• Must be privately owned and profit-oriented — non-profits are not eligible
• Must be past founding phase with first revenues and at least one annual financial statement

Required Documents

• Apply via VC4A platform during 6-week competition window (next opens 15 May 2026)

Constraints

• Grant funds must be invested locally in the target country (not for HQ or international costs)
• Grant EUR 100,000; must reach break-even within 3 years
• Must demonstrate additional investor interest alongside grant funding

Summary

develoPPP Ventures is a startup grant programme run by DEG Impulse on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The programme provides EUR 100,000 grants to startups in selected Sub-Saharan African countries that have innovative, development-oriented business models and are ready to scale. DEG Impulse targets startups in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. GIZ runs a parallel track for startups in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Grant funds must be invested in local business expansion within the target country. Eligible startups must be: privately owned and profit-oriented; past the founding phase with first revenues; in possession of at least one financial year's accounts; have a viable business and financial plan; and demonstrate high growth potential with an expected break-even within 3 years. Startups must also attract additional investors as co-funding. In addition to the EUR 100,000 grant, recipients receive technical assistance and strategic advisory support to strengthen their financial and business planning. Applications are submitted via the VC4A platform during 6-week competition windows that open multiple times per year (approximately quarterly). The next call opens 15 May 2026. The programme is evaluated through transparent criteria; shortlisted applicants undergo on-site due diligence before a grant contract is signed. The programme funds growth investments to make innovative solutions accessible to more people in the target countries.

Historical Context

The develoPPP Ventures programme runs multiple times per year on a quarterly basis for 6-week windows. DEG Impulse handles East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda); GIZ handles West Africa and South Africa. Funded by BMZ.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #116: KfW DEG (Development Finance Institution)

Sources

• https://www.degimpulse.de/programm/developpp-ventures

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