Funding Opportunities for Agricultural Technology

About Us
Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation is a USAID and Fintrac Inc. program focused on finding and commercializing
agricultural technology that can help smallholder farmers. The program is working to build public-private partnerships
that move agricultural technologies from labs to markets to farms. We offer a global grant program to support
commercialization of agricultural technologies benefiting smallholder farmers. More information about our program
grants at www.partneringforinnovation.org/eoi. Below is a list of other grant and investment opportunities for
agricultural.

Grant Opportunities
African Development Foundation
http://www.adf.gov/
Who: Community groups and small businesses that actively involve and benefit the marginalized communities
in conflict and post-conflict regions in Africa that are not government agencies, political parties, or
organizations that are not based in Africa
What: funding agreements range from $50,000 to $250,000
How: Written grant application form
Africa Diaspora Marketplace
http://www.diasporamarketplace.org/
Who: US-based African Diaspora and other entrepreneurs with demonstrated relevant connections to, or
experience in, Africa with innovative and high-impact ideas for start-up and established businesses in Africa.
What: Up to $50,000 in matched cash funding and from $10,000 to $20,000 in technical assistance.
How: An initial application followed by a full business plan and in-person live pitch, if selected

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Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
http://www.aecfafrica.org/
Who: For-profit private companies that are starting, or intend to start, new ventures
What: Awards from $250,000 to $1.5 million
How: Initial application form, followed by a detailed business plan if requested

Agricultural Innovation Global Market Place

http://www.mktplace.org/site/
Who: Individuals representing a partnership between African-based or LAC (non-Brazilian)-based public or
private, governmental or non-governmental research and development organizations, and one or more of
Embrapas centers seeking support for activities in Productivity Enhancing Technologies; Natural Resource
Management Improvements; Policy, Institutional and Market Strengthening and Knowledge Management; or
Smallholder and Poverty-Alleviation Targeted Technologies.
What: Funding for projects up to $80,000 for a maximum duration period of two years
How: Pre-proposal, followed by a full proposal if requested

Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative (ATAI)

http://atai-research.org/
Who: Organizations seeking to research technology adoption or to evaluate the impact of technology
adoption
What: Research grants
How: Written proposal

Development Innovation Ventures (DIV)

http://idea.usaid.gov/organization/div
Who: Foundations, U.S. and non-U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations,
U.S. and non-U.S. private businesses, business and trade associations, international organizations, U.S. and
non-U.S. colleges and universities, civic groups, and regional organizations with innovative ideas, pilots and
tests them using cutting-edge analytical methods
What: Funding of up to $100,000 to test an idea, up to $1.0 million to scale an idea, or up to $15.0 million to
expand successful implementation to a new country
How: A letter of interest, followed by a full application if requested

Gates Foundation Global Development Program

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/global-development/Pages/overview.aspx
Who: Development organizations
What: Multi-year grants for project implementation
How: A letter of interest or proposal for a specific opportunity

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Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Private Sector Window
http://www.gafspfund.org/gafsp/content/about-gafsp
Who: Private entities in the agribusiness sector, including input and service providers, and related
infrastructure and financial intermediaries servicing the sector
What: Senior Debt, Mezzanine/Subordinated Debt, Guarantees and Equity Investments of $5.0 million or
more
How: Written proposal

HCD Connect Microgrants

http://hcdconnect.org/grants
Who: individuals or organizations engaged in the human-centered design process in a project related to
agricultural development
What: A $5,000 planning grant or $10,000 implementation grant
How: An online story based application

India-Africa Agriculture Innovation Bridge Program

https://doresearch.stanford.edu/funding/opportunity/india-africa-agriculture-innovation-bridge-program
Who: Indian organizations that are private, non-profit organizations (or for-profit companies willing to forego
profits), including private voluntary organizations, universities, research organizations, professional
associations, and relevant special interest associations
What: Up to $2.0 million to share proven Indian agriculture innovations in Kenya, Liberia, and Malawi
How: Concept paper (accepted quarterly)
Kenya Climate Innovation Center
http://kenyacic.org
Who: Kenyans developing innovative energy, water and agriculture technologies, including off-grid
technologies, water management and purification solutions, micro-hydropower projects, technologies for
adaptation (flood/ drought control), sustainable agribusiness and bio-energy solutions
What: Financing from $100,000 to $750,000 to cleantech businesses seeking to move from proof of concept
stage to commercialization, along with business accelerator services
How: A short application form, followed by an in-person meeting
Kenya FTF Innovation Engine
http://www.kfie.net/partner?utm_source=Women+%26+Water%3A+Feed+the+Future+Newsletter+-
+March+2013&utm_campaign=FTF+Newsletter+Data&utm_medium=email
Who: Domestic and foreign private sector commercial enterprise; Kenyan and East African business and trade
association; Kenyan and foreign non-profit organization; domestic, regional and international higher education
and research institution; individual innovator who must be a Kenyan national and over the age of 18 years
(for Stage 1 innovations only)
What: Funding for proof of concept up to $50,000, pilot rollout up to $500,000, and transition to scale-up up
to $750,000
How: Written applications

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Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund
http://www.maendeleo-atf.org/
Who: Organizations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with a track record of at least three years in agricultural
development and managing donor funds. Applicants can be Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
Community Based Organizations (CBOs), private companies, research organizations, or universities based in
the target countries and involved in generation and/or dissemination of proven agricultural technologies to
farmers and other end-users
What: Grants from 8,000 to 90,000 for a project that can last up to three years
How: Written proposals

Thought For Food Challenge: Nutrients for All

http://www.tffchallenge.com
Who: Organizations and partnerships from around the world ensuring the availability of nutrients for healthy,
natural ecosystems, farms, food, and people
What: Up to $45,000 in unrestricted funding to boost your project.
How: Initial entry form followed by supplemental information, if selected

Investment/Loan Opportunities
TBL Mirror Fund
http://www.tblmirrorfund.com/
Who: East African businesses that are late start-ups or early to mid-stage companies
What: Equity or quasi-equity investments (not debt only) from 100,000 to 1,000,000 with a preferred
focus on investments from 500,000 to 1,000,000

Acumen Fund
http://acumen.org/
Who: Early-stage companies providing reliable and affordable access to agricultural inputs and markets, quality
education, clean energy, healthcare services, formal housing, and safe drinking water to low-income
customers
What: Patient long-term debt or equity investments from $250,000 to $3 million with management support
services

Grassroots Business Fund

http://www.gbfund.org/
Who: For-profit companies that have a strong commitment to bringing measurable and sustainable social and
economic impact at the base of the economic pyramid (BoP) in Kenya, Tanzania, India, Indonesia, Bolivia,
Peru, and/or Colombia
What: Equity, quasi-equity, loans, and guarantees from $500,000 to $2 million

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Invested Development
http://investeddevelopment.com/
Who: High growth, for-profit impact ventures serving an underserved population in emerging markets and
working in mobile technology, alternative energy, or agricultural technology
What: Seed stage equity financing from $100,000 to $1.0 million

Jacana Partners
http://www.jacanapartners.com/
Who: Entrepreneurs in six countries in West and East Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania
and Uganda)
What: Investments from $1.0 million to $5.0 million in businesses across a variety of sectors, including but
not limited to financial services, property, healthcare, education, manufacturing and agro-processing.

Kukua Fund
http://kukuafund.com/
Who: Africa-based startups with at least one founder from the continent that are driven by social impact and
high growth and are developing innovative mobile and internet technologies that addresses high-potential
emerging and growing markets
What: Investment of up to $25,000, along with an assigned Kukua Mentor; access to business developers,
financial and legal resources; access to the RLabs Incubation and Acceleration program in South Africa,
Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Kenya; and an opportunity to access further independent Seed Funding

Root Capital
http://www.rootcapital.org/
Who: Businesses that are too big for microfinance, but generally unable to secure credit from conventional
commercial banks the missing middle of developing-world finance
What: Loans ranging from $50,000 to $2.0 million for either short-term trade credit and pre-harvest loans or
long-term fixed-asset loans

Mentorship/Training Opportunities
Draper University of Heroes
http://draperuniversity.com/
Who: 18-26 year olds with entrepreneurial spirit; the Tina Seelig Scholarship is available for engineering or life
sciences graduates; the Andy Tang Scholarship is available for aspiring global enterprises; the Heidi Roizen
Scholarship is available for young women entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs.
What: An eight-week program where every student will create a company with mentoring and coaching from
experts, and have the opportunity to pitch for funding from Silicon Valley VCs.

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Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI) Accelerator
http://scu.edu/socialbenefit/entrepreneurship/gsbi/Silicon-Valley.cfm
Who: Organizations which have demonstrated the ability to create significant social impact and to conduct
financially sustainable operations
What: $25,000 scholarships for an intensive, nine-day residential program for a business "bootcamp" where
participants stress test their business model and business plan through curriculum, presentation, and
feedback sessions
How: Video and written application

VilCap/VentureWell - Louisville Agriculture & Cleantech Accelerator

http://vilcapventurewell.org/
Who: Agriculture and cleantech companies who are seeking first round capital
What: Three intensive workshops as well as bi-weekly webinar discussions that engage leading entrepreneurs
and investors relevant to your enterprise and will end with a venture forum for you to present your venture.
Investors will provide $50,000 each in convertible debt to whichever two teams the group selects.
How: Short online application form

Additional Resources
Entrepreneur
www.entreprenuer.com
Services: How-to guides, startup basics, startup financing, and Q&A
Costs: Free articles and guides

National Venture Capital Association

www.nvca.org
Services: Listing of venture capital, impact investment, and angel investment firms
Costs: Free

Social Impact Exchange

http://sie.rs2.thirdsectorlabs.com/exchange/knowledge-center
Services: A large-scale database with access to articles, case studies, tools & templates and the latest research
on scaling. The exchange also offers an interactive network to connect funders with appropriate programs.
Cost: Membership is free.

VentureDeal
www.venturedeal.com
Services: Comprehensive venture capital database updated daily with the latest information on U.S. technology
startup companies, venture capital firms, and company transactions
Costs: $25/month, with a free 14-day trial

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vFinance Inc.
http://www.Vfinance.com
Services: Post your business plan to present your idea to 1,000 accredited investors; Review lists of VC firms
and angel investors and search based on criteria
Costs: Business plan posting costs $79 for three months on the Basic plan, or $149 for three months on the
Professional plan. Downloading information for investment firms for direct outreach ranges from $1 - $6 per
listing