Tanzanian Innovators Invited to Apply for €100,000 Co-Financing Program

Dar es Salaam – Tanzanian innovators have been invited to apply for €100,000 (approximately Sh282 million) in non-dilutive co-financing as develoPPP Ventures opens applications for Cohort 10. The program aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage companies with significant social and economic impact across Tanzania.

The initiative, implemented by DEG Impulse, is seeking start-ups with scalable business models, proven revenue traction, and a clear pathway to profitability. The application deadline is set for December 31, 2025.

Since its launch in Tanzania in 2022, develoPPP Ventures has supported 31 local start-ups across multiple sectors, including clean technology, agriculture, healthcare, insurance, and sustainable finance.

The program has enabled young enterprises to expand essential services, build local capacity, and generate employment opportunities in communities throughout the country.

Across East Africa, the program has achieved remarkable results, receiving over 2,000 applications, financing 100 start-ups, mobilizing more than €40 million in follow-on capital, creating over 3,700 jobs, and improving access to vital services for more than 10 million people.

Healthy Seaweed Co. Limited stands among the program’s success stories. The company’s founder and chief executive, Nancy Cyprian Iraba, highlighted the program’s transformative impact on their operations.

"Thanks to develoPPP Ventures, we expanded our infrastructure, reaching more women seaweed farmers and accelerating growth. We increased our capacity by 300%, trained 389 women, and improved product quality. We achieved $100,000 in sales and national certification, strengthening our financial systems and strategic outlook," Iraba stated.

NovFeed, another Tanzanian beneficiary, has also experienced significant expansion through the program’s technical and financial support, enhancing its ability to reach more smallholder farmers with climate-smart agricultural solutions.

To qualify for the new funding round, start-ups must demonstrate revenue generation, provide matching funds equal to the develoPPP Ventures investment, and possess at least one year of financial statements.

The program particularly welcomes applications from women-led enterprises and those promoting gender equality.

Successful applicants will receive catalytic funding, customized technical assistance, and access to a regional network of high-potential ventures, enabling them to scale sustainably while maximizing their developmental impact.