Innovations axis

*Innovation SL* on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone,and the World Bank is calling for applications for the acceleration/business development of 20 SMEs under the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project(SLEDP), which aims to diversify the Sierra Leone economy through acceleration/business development.

The SMEs should be from the *Light/Small Manufacturing* and *Agribusiness* sectors.

*To qualify you have to be an SME having an annual turnover between $20,000 to $100,000 USD equivalent in Leones*

The aim of this call for applications, is to help develop the capacities of selected SMEs with technical expertise, and grant financing that supports their growth, expansion and ability to create jobs that contribute to the Project’s development objectives. It will also focus on building resilience of companies to overcome economic challenges.

The program will be implemented in two -phases:

The first phase (8 months) will focus on business diagnosis, formalization, business model development, customer traction and investment readiness through BDS training, coaching, mentoring, peer learning, networking, and linkage building.

The second phase (6 months) will focus on the matching-grant competition, award, and implementation (with a phased, performance based, disbursement)

*Deadline for the Application is on the 3rd March 2023*

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevElfHb20ybm5COCXLmn07flTYBB9DbY4EpZP7D09nCnibrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Tuesday April 19th 2022 to Friday April 22nd 2022
Freetown Innovation Week brings forward new voices and innovation in action. Freetown Innovation Week will be about bold solutions that solve real local challenges through entrepreneurship, technology and innovation. We believe in creating sustainable solutions by bridging differences and forming new partnerships across industries, sectors, and communities, pushing Sierra Leone forward through collaboration.
This is the first event of its kind in Freetown. We are going to have the following tracks
- Scaling Your Growth Company
- Solutions for the Climate
-Startup & Entrepreneurial Ventures
- STEM for Economic Development and Sustainable Growth
- FPN 20 pitches
Freetown Innovation Week is owned and supported by the Innovation SL. We are going to reach out to the City Government, Organisations, companies and other relevant partners in the coming months.