South African entrepreneurship support organisation Impact Amplifier has opened applications for its Investment Readiness Accelerator, which helps startups ensure they are prepared to take on funding.
Applications are open here for the three-month programme, which begins in June and aims to help impact businesses prepare for expansion and funding.
The programme will offer entrepreneurs the skills, knowledge, documentation and support required to secure investment for their businesses. It addresses aspects such as constructing an impact case, market access, strategic planning, financial modelling, writing an investment case, and pitching to investors.
“The phenomenon of “impact investing”, investments with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return, is growing rapidly in South Africa. It is increasingly recognised that entrepreneurs will have an extraordinary influence on both the South African economy and solving what have previously appeared to be intractable social challenges,” said Impact Amplifier.
“Despite this realisation, finding and securing investment opportunities in South Africa, is difficult. Investors have reported that the lack of “investable opportunities” with a track record is a major constraint to scaling the impact investing industry.”
Impact businesses face a broad spectrum of challenges when trying to grow, according to Impact Amplifier, which include securing access to target markets, generating revenue, and securing access to capital to fund growth.
The Investment Readiness Accelerator looks to address these challenges, and it has also been structured to create networks for the participants.
“These networks can form an important part of the entrepreneur’s future success and as such have been consciously woven through the programme’s delivery process,” Impact Amplifier said.
The programme is structured in two distinct phases. The first phase is designed as seven modules, which include a combination of lectures, individual coaching, group discussions and presentations. Each entrepreneur will be supported by a team of Impact Amplifier Fellows and senior mentors.
The second phase, after the structured accelerator, is available to select businesses for an additional nine months. During this period, the Impact Amplifier team will assist each business on a one-on-one basis to secure the resources required to grow.
