Raise

ICA works with development organisations and corporate partners to design programmes that support impact businesses to prepare for and access finance. We work with businesses that are leading local innovation to address critical issues and local development challenges.

Through a process of screening, investment-readiness preparation and match-making with investors, we aim to get you the right funding partners.

Through a process of screening, investment-readiness preparation and match-making with investors, we aim to get you the right funding partners.

We announce our programmes on social media, so we will let you know when we are accepting applications for various programmes.

Follow us here:

Important notice:

Impact Capital Africa is not currently involved in any applications for grants. We DO NOT ask for payment to access grant opportunities. Please do not give your personal, business or financial details to anyone claiming to be with ICA. Our logo is being used on fraudulent grant applications and communication. Please contact info@impactcapafrica.com for more information or if you have received communication you believe to be fraudulent.

How does Impact Capital Africa work for African businesses seeking finance?

ICA constantly works with investors to understand their requirements for the investment process and to satisfy due diligence. We pass these learnings onto businesses seeking finance so that they can identify the best path to investment-readiness and secure optimal partnerships.
Are you or do you know an established business that meets ICA’s criteria?

When we are not running active programmes, we are always eager to learn more about impactful, growing businesses – so contact us.

If an applicant business meets our eligibility criteria, they will be invited to complete ICA’s investment readiness assessment.

This assessment has been developed with input from investors and businesses, and is aimed at identifying what, if any, areas need development to get a business ready to enter our investment pipeline.

The output is a list of business areas to target, either independently or with technical assistance.

We use the Investment Readiness Assessment outputs to define what development support and/or technical assistance businesses need, and to inform discussions with advisors to affordable targeted support.

Where we can, we link businesses with local partners who can help you overcome knowledge and skills gaps and find the right advisors to support you (they can also provide a grant to cover some of the costs of your technical assistance).

We provide you with training and bespoke, fit-for-purpose technical support to prepare your company to be pitched to investors.

Businesses and investors can connect at our events.

At these deal-focused events businesses can pitch to investors and meet the broader ecosystem.

ICA is always match-making to identify the best possible partnerships.

What is impact investment?

Over the past decade, a new breed of investor has emerged: the impact investor.

Impact investors are looking for a financial return on their investment but they also want their money to have wider benefits for society and the environment. Currently, you may not think of your business as an “impact enterprise” but if, for example, you offer market opportunities to smallholder farmers, bring financial services or clean energy solutions to off-grid communities or offer a business-based solution to health or education issues, you probably fit the bill. An impact investor may be interested in your business.

A few impact investors are locally based in the southern African region but even more are from further afield. We have extensive networks within the impact investment community worldwide and we use these networks to introduce investors to great investment opportunities through Impact Capital Africa.

What makes Impact Capital Africa different?

ICA aims to increase SME visibility and change perceptions of the southern African investment space.

  • We have a successful track record because we work closely with selected SMEs to hand-pick the most exciting impact investment opportunities and make sure that they are investment-ready by partnering them with the best technical assistance and investment advisors.
  • SMEs benefit by having closely collaborative partners that are looking beyond just making deals – we want to make the best, most sustainable deals, founded on strong partnerships that benefit SMEs, investors and the African ecosystem.