The funding gap for small and medium enterprises in the agriculture sector is a major obstacle, whether it be early-stage companies or companies having initially benefitted from subsidies. This database aims to facilitate the search for risk-bearing capital in the agriculture sector.
The list builds on the Critical Capital for African Agri-Food SMEs study authored by Bert van Manen, published in May 2018 by AgriProFocus, ICCO and Rabobank Foundation, and supported by the Food & Business Knowledge Platform. The study reviewed the demand and supply of risk capital for agri-food SMEs in Sub-Sahara Africa.
At the request of the Netherlands Space Office, executing the Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) programme, NpM expanded the list to include funds for all of Africa and for a number of countries in Asia. Users can navigate through the database by selecting fund size, geographical scope, investment size, and instruments. Additionally, it is possible to select whether the fund is a good fit for companies participating in the G4AW programme, whether the fund provides Business Development Services (BDS), and whether it considers itself an ‘impact investor’.
Abbreviations
G4AW: the Geodata for Agriculture and Water programme aims to improve food security in developing countries by using satellite data. It is executed by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BDS: non-financial services and products offered to entrepreneurs, aimed at skills transfer or business advice.
Impact Investors: intent to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
